| page 521
FRANCIS TREBILCOCK, a retired
farmer, now residing in Washington, is a native of Cornwall,
England, born Oct. 10, 1823, and is the son of Frank and Ann
(Dowrick) Trebilcock, both of whom were natives of the same
country. Frank Trebilcock was born Dec. 24, 1878, and died
Aug. 31, 1870, aged seventy-one years, seven months and ten
days; and Ann Dowrick was born Feb. 25, 1800, and died Oct. 5,
1869, aged sixty-nine years, seven months and six days. They
were married in 1821, and were the parents of twelve children,
nine of whom lived to be adults. Their record is as follows:
William D., born May 12, 1822; Francis, Oct. 10, 1823; John,
Nov. 18, 1824; Joanna, March 28, 1829; Catherine D., May 2,
1833; Joseph D., May 6, 1834; James H., July 6, 1835; Mary J.,
Dec. 21, 1836; Jeffrey, July 3, 1839; Joanna (2d), Oct. 4,
1840; Margaret, Jan. 25, 1842; George J., Jan. 26, 1845. Those
now deceased are William D., Joanna D., Mary J., Jeffrey and
George J.
The life of Frank Trebilcock, the father of our subject,
was an active one. In 1824 he was sent by a company to Peru,
where he had charge of a number of men engaged in silver
mining, remaining there four years, discharging his duty in a
faithful manner. Returning home, he remained there till 1828,
when he was sent to Mexico, where he was employed in gold
mining for four years. After returning to England, he made up
his mind to come to the United States with his family, for
permanent residence. Accordingly, in 1834 they set sail for
the States, and landed in Philadelphia, page 522
from whence they went to Morgan County, Ohio, where they
remained a short time, and then went to Athens, now Vinton
County, in the same State. Her the father purchased land and
engaged in farming. In 1849 he went to California, being among
the first to visit the New Eldorado. While in California he
engaged in mining, but on account of ill-health was soon
compelled to return home. By reason of this visit to
California at that time, he was ever afterward spoken of as
one of the "old 49ers." After considering the matter well, in
1854 he came with his family to Iowa, and first located in
Washington County, but in the spring of 1855 moved to Van
Buren County, where he purchased lands, and again engaged in
farming. Mr. Trebilcock was a man of considerable force of
character, a great reader and observer of passing events. In
politics, he was a Democrat. Himself and wife were members of
the United Brethren Church for many years. Both died in Van
Buren County, and were there laid to rest. Rearing a large
family of children, they were required at times to make
serious sacrifices, but every sacrifice made to benefit the
"flesh of their flesh and bone of their bone" was cheerfully
made. They lived to see their children well settled in
life.
Francis Trebilcock, the subject of this sketch, was about
nine years of age when the family came to this country. That
part of Ohio in which they settled was yet almost an unbroken
wilderness, and the farmers' boys were not then permitted to
live life of idleness, but were required to be up with the
sun, and be very thankful if they could retire with the lark.
The farm must be cleared, grain must be sowed, the harvest
must be reaped, and every member of the family from the
youngest to the oldest, was required to do his or her part.
Young Francis faithfully did his work, and was thankful for
the opportunity of attending school in the old log
school-house three months in winter, trudging through the snow
a mile and a half. The schools in those days were not of the
best, but from the old log school-houses of the pioneers have
graduated some of the ablest men and women of this
land—statesmen, lawyers, doctors, ministers, and the best
mothers in the world.
Days, months and years passed, and the little English lad
grew to manhood, strong in mind and physical powers, and
forming an acquaintance with Miss Mary M. Mayhew, which
ripened into love, on the 12th of December, 1846, they were
united in marriage in Vinton County, Ohio. She was born in
Athens County, Ohio, May 23, 1829, and was the daughter of
William an Aurilla Mayhew, who were among the pioneers of that
section of the State. Of a family of ten children born unto
Mr. and Mrs. Trebilcock, six are now living: Melissa A., born
July 4, 1849, is the wife of Pulaski Maxwell, a farmer of
Washington County; Harriet A., born June 23, 1851, married A.
L. Smouse of Des Moines; Venitia E., born Oct. 2, 1859,is the
wife of Dr. J. A. Gardner, of Kingman County, Kan.; Margaret,
born June 24, 1862, married H. D. Goble, and resides in this
county; Calvary F., born Oct. 1, 1865, is attending school at
Des Moines, and Bessie, born Dec. 2, 1872, resides at
home.
Mr. Trebilcock came West with his family at the same time
as did his father. He purchased an unimproved farm in Oregon
Township, on which a small frame house had been built, and in
which the family lived until 1861, when he built one of the
best farm houses then in the township. In 1877 he sold this
farm and purchased another in Jackson Township, where he moved
and remained two years. He then went to Ainsworth and engaged
in the mercantile and grain trade. About the same time he
erected a business house at Havre, where he also engaged in
the grain trade, and was instrumental in having a post-office
established there, receiving an appointment as Postmaster.
Selling his business at Ainsworth in 1882, and at Havre in
1883, he moved to Washington, where he has since lived a
retired life.
Mr. Trebilcock came to this county in limited
circumstances, but by industry and economy, and with the aid
of a wife who has been truly to him a helpmeet, he has amassed
property enough to keep the family comfortably his remaining
days. While not among the first to settle here, he yet came at
a time when the greater part of the county was in a wild
state, and in its development he has contributed his share. In
addition to property in Ainsworth, he has an excellent farm of
200 acres in page 523
Jackson Township, and a grain house, scales and storehouse
in Havre.
Politically, Mr. Trebilcock is a Democrat, but takes no
active part in political matters, especially of a partisan
nature, though he manages to keep posted on all questions that
agitate the country. Religiously, he affiliates with the
United Brethren in Christ, while his wife is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. In educational matters he evinces
a deep interest and has ever been a friend to the public
schools. As a citizen he is ever ready to do his part in
anything that will advance the interests of the community. The
Trebilcock family have a genealogical record in the hands of
J. D. Trebilcock, of Bloomfield, Iowa, which traces the family
history back 300 years.
HENRY SOMMER, residing on section
27, Marion Township, is engaged in farming and stock-raising.
He is a native of Holmes County, Ohio, born in 1844, and is
the son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Miller) Sommer, the former a
native of Somerset County, Pa., and the latter of Tuscarawas
County, Ohio. His father was born in 1806, and was reared on a
farm in Somerset County, Pa., where he lived until he was
about twenty-years old, when he emigrated to Tuscarawas
County, Ohio, where he lived five years, and then moved to
Holmes County, in the same State, and there lived eighteen
years engaged in milling and farming. In May, 1853, he came to
Washington County, where he has since lived, engaged in
farming.
Josephy Sommer was married, in 1830, to Elizabeth Miller,
and of this union were eleven children, seven now living:
Susan, wife of Samuel Hage, now in Arkansas; Lydia, the wife
of Benjamin Eicher, of Marion Township; Eve, the wife of Peter
Goldsmith, of Wyoming Territory; Barbary, the wife of Peter
Miller, of Marion Township; Henry, the subject of this sketch;
Lucinda, the wife of J. A. Rumble, of Union County, Ore.;
Mattie, the wife of Wash Neff, of Henry County; Catherine
married Daniel Winters, and died in Ohio, in 1882; Jacob died
in infancy, in 1834; Levi died in 1849, aged fourteen years;
Elizabeth died in 1852, aged two years. The mother died Sept.
20, 1874, aged sixty-five years and two months. The father is
still living, and making his home with his son Henry. He os
French and German descent.
Henry Sommer, the subject of this sketch, came to this
county in company with his parents, June 29, 1853. They
settled on section 27, Marion Township, where he grew to
manhood, was educated in the district schools, and has since
lived. The home farm originally consisted of 120 acres of
partially improved land. This was brought under a high state
of cultivation, and sixty acres added to the original
purchase; the estate now comprises 180 acres. In July, 1866,
Mr. Sommer married Hetty Fisblurn, a native of Greene County,
Ohio. They are the parents of five children: Charles F.,
Joseph, David; Elizabeth, who died in infancy, and Leslie.
Mr. and Mrs. Sommer are members of the Mennonite Church of
Marion Township. He is now serving his second term as Township
Assessor. In his youth and young manhood he learned the
carpenter's trade, which he has followed in connection with
farming. In the neighborhood where he resides, and by all who
know him, he is regarded as a fist-class citizen, one whose
word is as good as his bond. His father is also a member of
the Mennonite Church.
W. O. HOFSTEATER is a farmer
and stock-raiser, residing on section 22, Oregon Township. He
is a native of Putnam County, Ohio, born June 8, 1848, and is
the son of Eli and Eliza (Atrain) Hofsteater, the former a
native of Ohio, and of German descent, and the latter of
Pennsylvania and of Irish descent.
The family came to this county in 1852, when the subject of
this sketch was but four years of age. Here he was reared on a
farm and educated in the commons schools of Washington County.
He was married in Louisa County, Iowa, in 1873, to Maria A.
Sweet, daughter of Oliver and Charity (Hayden) Sweet,who were
among the pioneers of that county, settling there in 1836, but
three years page 524
after the territory was open to settlement, and ten years
before the admission of Iowa as a State. She was born in
Louisa County, Dec. 29, 1852. Mr. and Mrs. Hofsteater have
three children—Nettie V., Nora I. and William F.
Mr. Hofsteater is a member of the United Presbyterian
Church, while Mrs. Hofsteater is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. Both are highly respected by friends and
neighbors. One, a native born Iowa, the other having spent all
his life here with the exception of the first four years, they
know something of pioneer life, and have lived to see most of
the changes that have been wrought in Washington and Louisa
Counties. In the development of this section of the State,
each has contributed his or her part. The parents of Mr.
Hofsteater are yet residing in this county, and are numbered
among its best citizens, enjoying the respect and esteem of
all who know them.
Mr. Hofsteater was a resident of Dallas County, Iowa, nine
years, and in that as in Washington County, he followed his
chosen occupation of farming. He was elected by the Republican
party to the office of Township Assessor of Lincoln Township,
Dallas County, two terms, and filled the office with credit to
himself and satisfaction to his constituents. Mr. Hofsteater
is a public-spirited man, and feels an interest in the
upbuilding of the county in which he lives.
GEORGE DICKINSON, farmer and
stock-raiser, section 17, Clay Township, was born in Trumbull
County, Ohio, Oct. 3, 1834, and is the son of Henry and Eliza
Dickenson, both of whom were natives of New York. they were
the parents of ten children: Julia, the wife of Johnson
Barnes, a farmer in Clay Township; Hiram is a farmer residing
Clay Township; Olive is the wife of Wells de Wolf, a farmer in
Republic County, Kan; George, the subject of this sketch;
Cyrus, a farmer in Clay Township; Emily, the wife of Reuben
Ash, a farmer in Clay Township; Chloe, deceased, was the wife
of Alfred Pringle; Mary E., the widow of James Fitch, resides
in Taylor County, Iowa; James and John M. are farmers residing
in Clay Township; Samuel is a farmer residing in Keokuk
County, Iowa.
The family moved from Ohio in 1846, starting to Wisconsin,
but on arriving at Montrose found the river so low as to
render it unnavigable. They were then persuaded by William
Reed to come to Washington County, Iowa. On arriving in this
county he purchased 160 acres, it being the claim of an early
settler. In the fall of 1857 he traded his farm for three yoke
of cattle, with the intentions of returning to Ohio. Changing
his mind he rented a farm here, and here he has continued to
reside, with the exception of six years spent in Wisconsin,
where he purchased a farm. Returning to Washington County he
bought fifty-nine acres of land on which he continued to live
till his death, which occurred in 1869. He was a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, and always took an active interest
in Church work. His widow yet survives him, making her home
with her children. She is now seventy-eight years of age, and
is in the enjoyment of good health. She was also a faithful
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
The subject of this sketch, George Dickinson, was reared
upon a farm, and on the 17th day of March, 1860, was united in
marriage with Miss Amelia Wagoner, who was born March 17,
1840, in Virginia, and the daughter of Jacob and Catherine
Wagoner, who were also natives of that State. She came from
Virginia with her parents, making the trip from that State to
Washington County, Iowa, by team. Her father died in February,
1887, and her mother is yet living in Clay Township. Mr. and
Mrs. Dickinson have five children: John, born Feb. 13, 1861,
is a farmer in Holt County, Neb.; Mary, born June 22, 1863;
Charles, born June 8, 1866; Jacob F., born Sept. 3, 1869;
Carrie, born Sept. 22, 1872. The first three are now living in
Holt County, Neb., where they are the owners of 640 acres of
land. In 1867 Mr. Dickinson purchased eighty acres of land in
Clay Township, and at once began its improvement. He has since
added thirty acres to his original purchase, and now has a
farm of 120 acres of good land, all under fence and in a high
state of cultivation. page 527
Mr. Dickinson commenced life in Washington County in very
limited circumstances, but has by industry and economy
acquired a fine property. For a number of years he has been
afflicted with weak eyes, and for some time the management of
the farm has been in the hands of his sons. Mr. and Mrs.
Dickinson are members of the United Presbyterian Church. They
have given each of their children a good education, thus
fitting them for useful lives.
 W. S. GRIFFITH,
farmer and stock-raiser, a portrait of whom appears upon the
opposite page, is residing on section 14, Lime Creek township.
He was born in Washington County, Ind., Nov. 25, 1818, and is
the son of Horatio and Elizabeth W. (Fleming) Griffith, who
were united in marriage in 1818. The father was a native of
Western New York, born in 1796. The mother was born in
Pennsylvania, in 1800. They removed to Washington County,
Ind., in the summer of 1818, and remained there until 1826,
then went back to New York, near Geneseo, in Livingston
County, where Horatio Griffith bought a tract of land, which
he subsequently sold on time, and went to work by the month.
After he had made collection on the sale, he again moved with
his family to Washington County, Ind., in 1831, settling in
Brown Township, and residing there until his death, which
occurred in 1846. He was a very active man and took a lively
interest in public affairs, was a great admirer of J. Q. Adams
and Henry Clay, and was an enthusiastic supporter of W. H.
Harrison. Mr. and Mrs. Griffith were the parents of eleven
children, nine of whom grew to maturity: W. S., of whom we
write, was first in order of birth; Jackson died at about the
age of six years, in New York; Martha is the widow of
Washington Wright, and resides in Orleans, Iowa; Margaret F.,
the widow of Argus Clarke, now resides in Whiteside County,
Ill.; Elizabeth, the wife of Sanford Towsnley, resides in the
northeastern part of Nebraska; Charlotte, the widow of Thomas
Clark, resides in Custer County, Neb.; Sarah, deceased, was
the wife of Franklin Whissinand, who is also deceased; Ellen
died in 1855 in this county; James F. was a farmer in Pawnee
County, Neb.; he died Oct. 16, 1885, leaving a wife and eight
children. John W. is a farmer in Lime Creek Township; one died
in infancy.
The subject of this sketch came to Iowa in 1845, and took a
claim near South English River, township 77, range 11, Keokuk
County, consisting of 320 acres of land. He then returned to
Indiana in August, and in April of 1846 rented his farm, going
to Wassonville, where he engaged in carpentering, continuing
there at different kinds of work until 1849, when he commenced
repairing wagons and making new ones till the fall of 1850. In
the spring of 1850 he sold his land near South English for a
horse and a note of $100 without interest, having decided to
go to California. If he returned from California the note was
to be paid, if not, the note was not to be paid; but the
contemplated trip was not made. July 2, 1850, he was united in
marriage with Mary A. Bower, a daughter of Anthony Bower. Mrs.
Griffith was a native of Maryland. By this union four children
were born; of that number one is yet living, Scott, who was
educated for the law, but followed teaching and is now
residing in Astoria, Ore. Mrs. Griffith died in 1860.
In 1850, our subject bought 132 acres of land near Dayton,
and sold the same in 1854, buying land on sections 21 and 28,
of township 77, range 9, consisting of 160 acres, and followed
farming until the breaking out of the Civil War. In 1861, he
enlisted in the State service and went to Davenport, but was
rejected and came home. Nov. 17, 1861, he was united in
marriage with Mrs. Christina Sargent. Her maiden name was
Foster. By this union two children were born, both dying in
infancy. The mother died Nov. 29, 1863.
In April, 1865, Mr. Griffith bought a half interest in the
Wassonville mill, and removed to that village, where he
remained until 1866, when he sold out and moved to Dayton,
engaging in the general merchandise business at that place,
continuing there until the spring of 1867, when he again sold
out and moved to the Dickenson place on section 22, Lime Creek
Township. March 4, 1869, he was again united in marriage, Mrs.
Hannah A. Berry becoming his wife. She was born in Washington,
Ill., page 528
Aug. 15, 1840, and was the daughter of Horatio Wanton and
Rosanna (Lamont) Parker, the former a native of New York, and
the latter of Ohio. Six children have been born of this union:
Martha W., the wife of Dennis Bull, a farmer of Lime Creek
Township; Nellie G., at home; Charles W., deceased; one who
died in infancy; Robert Parker and James Mack. Mrs. Griffith
was the mother of four children by her first husband, William
Hayes: Susan married Philip Whetstine; Lucy J., deceased;
Wanton, deceased; Laura, the wife of James Coffey.
In 1876, Mr. Griffith bought seventy-nine acres where he
resides, and now owns 244 acres, all under a fine state of
cultivation, with all necessary out buildings for a
well-regulated farm. He came to Iowa with a cash capital of
about seventy-five cents, and, with that as a start, by his
own industry and good management, has accumulated an abundance
with which to smooth his declining years. He is now turning
his attention to stock-raising, and has on hand some fine
specimens of the Norman and Clydesdale breeds of horse,
together with Short-horn and Red-Polled cattle. He has set out
between seven and eight hundred fruit and a number of shade
trees on his farm. Mr. Griffith cast his first vote for
Harrison, and was an ardent supporter of the war measures.
Socially, he is a member of the A.F. & A.M., Dayton Lodge.
Politically, he is independent, and religiously, both Mr. and
Mrs. Griffith are members of the Christian Church.
REV. JOHN T. TATE has been a
resident of Washington County since 1854. He is a native of
Ohio, born in Xenia, Greene County, Nov. 5, 1820. His father,
Hugh Tate, was a native of Virginia, well educated, and
followed the profession of a teacher for some years. He was a
soldier in the War of 1812, serving with the rank of Major. He
married Mary Torrence, a native of Pennsylvania, of
Scotch-Irish descent. They were married in Ohio, first
settling in Warren County, and then moved to Greene County.
They were the parents of five children, tow of whom are
living—Jane C., the widow of William Jordan, residing in
Indianola, Iowa, and John T., of Washington. Mrs. Tate died in
1827 or 1828. Mr. Tate subsequently married again. He was a
member of the Associate Presbyterian Church, as were also his
wives. He died in Montgomery County, Ohio, in 1839.
The subject of this sketch was reared upon a farm, and in
early life was inured to toil, helping to clear up a farm in
the heavy timber of his native State. After attending the
common schools of the neighborhood in which the family lived
for a time, he entered Xenia Academy, where he prepared for
college. After pursuing a regular course in Franklin College,
New Athens, Ohio, he graduated from that institution in 1846.
Soon after this he entered the Cannonsburg (Pa.) Theological
Seminary, and finished the course in that institution in 1850.
After graduating here he went to Pittsburg, Ind., where here
remained one year, supplying the pulpit of Rev. Dr. Pollock.
He was then called to Stephenson County, Ill., where he
engaged for one year, but did not fill out his time. From
Stephenson County he went to Le Claire, Iowa, and from there
to Cedar Rapids, and in 1854 came to Washington County, where
he settled as pastor of the Pleasant Valley congregation of
the Associate Presbyterian, now the United Presbyterian
Church, located in Dutch Creek Township. With this Church he
as labored nearly thirty years, which certainly speaks well
for his wearing qualities. In an early day, in addition to his
pastorial duties, he served two years as Professor of Greek in
the old Washington College.
Shortly after coming to this county, on the 16th of March,
1854, Mr. Tate was united in marriage in Washington, to Miss
Nancy A. Miller, born in Hayesville, Ohio, in 1835, and a
daughter of Dr. S. G. and Nancy J. Miller, the former an early
physician of this county. Eight children have been born to
them, six of whom are now living: Samuel A., now residing in
Adams County, Iowa; Mary A., a graduate of Washington Academy,
engaged in teaching in this county; Clara L., also a teacher,
and an artist of more than ordinary ability; Arthur M.,
residing in Greeley County, Kans.; J. Howard, a graduate of
Washington Academy, engaged in teaching, and N. Jennie, at
home. page 529
In early life Mr. Tate was an old-line Whig, but a stanch
supporter of the anti-slavery cause. When the Republican party
came into existence, he became an adherent and advocate of its
principles, and with that party he has since continued to act.
He is a man of fine personal appearance, and although near his
threescore and ten, with hair whitened by time, he yet stands
erect, and otherwise shows but little the effects of passing
years. His Christian bearing commends itself to all, and with
a talented family, all of whom honor their parents in a
becoming manner, with the love and respect not only of those
with whom he has labored, but of the community as well, his
remaining years will doubtless be of unalloyed happiness. As a
minister of the Gospel, he has endeavored to adhere closely to
the Word of God, and guided by His spirit, feed and tenderly
care for those over whom he has served as a pastor.
THOMAS J. ALLEN, Justice of the Peace,
Wellman, Iowa, was born in Franklin County, Ind., Nov. 8,
1836, and is the son of John and Frances (Thompson) Allen. His
father was born in Harrisburg, Pa., March 30, 1876, and was of
Scotch descent. His mother was born Jan. 5, 1800, in
Clarksburg, Pa. His grandfather, John Allen, was among the
first settlers of Franklin County, Ind., and built the first
mill in that county, known as the Brookville mill. He died
Oct. 3, 1837, and his son, the father of our subject, Oct. 30,
1841, in Franklin County, Ind. Both were blacksmiths by
trade.
John Allen, the father of our subject, was a man who took a
lively interest in public affairs. He was a Whig, and served
sixteen years as Justice of the Peace in Brookville. He served
through the War of 1812, as Lieutenant, under Capt. Henderson,
of the 7th Regiment of Indiana Rifles, and our subject is
still in possession of his commission. He was of Quaker
descent, and at the time of his death was the owner of 320
acres of land. Frances (Thompson) Allen, the mother of our
subject, died Feb. 18, 1881, at Daytonville, Iowa, and was
taken to Indiana for burial. She was a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, and was a kind and devoted mother. They were
the parents of twelve children, eight of whom are now living,
two in this county—Naomi Shepard, now living in Washington,
and our subject.
The subject of this sketch obtained his education in the
district schools of his native State, and at the age of
fifteen, in 1851, came by wagon to this county and settled at
Wassonville, where he remained engaged in breaking prairie
until May, 1853, when he returned to his old home, by way of
St. Louis, Louisville, and Cincinnati, traveling by water. He
arrived at home May 18, and entered a blacksmith-shop in
Dunlapsville, Ind., Sept. 26, 1853. For his first years's work
he received his board and clothes, and was to have $75 for the
next year, but his employer dying, he only received
twenty-five cents. He remained there until Dec. 31, 1855, when
he again started west, and landed at Wessonville, in December,
1856. He started a blacksmith-shop in that place the next day,
and has worked at that trade ever since. He improved a farm
near there, which he sold in the fall of 1878, removing to
Dayton, and from there to Wellman, in 1880, where he still
resides. He sold his blacksmith-shop in November, 1886.
Mr. Allen was married, Jan. 1, 1886, to Marian J. Leighton,
a daughter of Isaac
Leighton, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this
volume. Mr. and Mrs. Allen are the parents of nine children:
Serepta A. died in infancy; Clara Belle, who wedded John L.
Poland, who died Aug. 1, 1883; Bertha May graduated at Keota
High School and is now a teacher; Alice Annette is attending a
Normal School and fitting herself for a teacher; Ada Wstella,
at home; Ernest L., at home; Georgia Cornelia died in April,
1877; John Everett and Thomas Glenn, at home.
Mr. Allen is a Republican in politics, and has served in
several of the township office. In 1870, he was elected
Justice of the Peace, serving six years, and was again elected
in 1886, and is still performing the duties of that office. He
has several times been Township Assessor, has been Township
Clerk fourteen years, and Trustee ten years. Fraternally he is
a member of the A. F. & A. M. Mr. Allen has always been a
hard worker, having made page 530
his own way in life since eleven years of age, working on a
farm, and at various kinds of labor. With a limited education
received in school, he added to his knowledge by studying at
odd times while making his living. He is a man of influence,
and is well informed on all subjects of public
interest. |
Visit our family of homepages and join
us.
