William E. Morrow

WILLIAM E. MORROW, dealer in agricultural implements, Osceola, and one of the early settlers of Clarke County, was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, near Fort Washington, May 15, 1846, a son of Thomas A. and Esther (Scott) Morrow, the father a native of Belmont County, Ohio, born September 26, 1814, and the mother born August 26, 1815, in Chester County, Pennsylvania. The father is now deceased, his death occurring July 29, 1884. The mother is still living. They had born to them four children, two sons and two daughters, all of whom are yet living.  William E. Morrow was brought by his parents to Clarke County, Iowa, when he was but ten years of age, they locating in Knox Township. He was reared on a farm, his education being received in the common schools of his neighborhood, and at the graded school at Garden Grove, Iowa. After finishing his education he began his career as a teacher, following that profession both winter and summer till after his marriage when he taught only during the winter terms.  He was united in marriage October 20, 1869, to Mary M. Whisler, of Clarke County, her father, Thomas L. Whisler, having come to this county in 1854 from Marion County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Morrow have two sons – Francis E. and Robert E.  After his marriage Mr. Morrow settled on a farm where he followed agricultural pursuits till 1873, when he moved to Osceola, and became associated with his father in the agricultural implement business. He disposed of his interest to his father in 1876, who carried on the business until his death. In the meantime William E. Morrow had spent a year in Colorado, but on the death of his father in 1884 he returned to Osceola, and took charge of the business in which he is still engaged. He keeps a full line of everything pertaining to his business, and has a well-established trade, his business house being located on the west side of the square. Mr. Morrow is a member of the Masonic order, and is a comrade of the Grand Army of the Republic.

SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Record of Clarke County, Iowa, Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1886 p. 264

EDITOR’S NOTE: William E. Morrow was a Private in Company H, 46th Iowa Infantry.

Jedidiah Knotts

JEDIDIAH KNOTTS, farmer and raiser and dealer in stock, residing on section 11, Troy Township, Clarke County, Iowa, was born in Taylor County, West Virginia November 12, 1841. His father, Absalom Knotts, was a native of the same county, then known as Monongahela County, and was a merchant, and contractor on public works. In 1853 he came to Iowa, locating in Warren County, where he laid out the town of New Virginia, and improved a large farm. He returned to Virginia and came with the family to Warren County in the fall of 1857. In the spring of 1861 he removed with them to Osceola, and engaged in the mercantile business. He lived some time at Council Bluffs, Iowa, but subsequently settled in Lucas, Lucas County, Iowa, where he died several years later, his death occurring February 27,1885. He was an active business man, a public-spirited citizen, and made many friends wherever he resided. He was twice married, his first wife being Matilda Sayre, by whom he had ten children, eight reaching maturity, of whom six still survive – Joseph, of Council Bluffs; Mrs. Polly A. McGee, of Indianola, Iowa; Jedidiah, our subject; Elijah W., of Lucas, Iowa; Mrs. Susannah Daily, of Lucas, and James B., of Indianola. For his second wife Mr. Knotts married Mrs. Maria Marsh. Jedidiah Knotts, whose name heads this sketch, was reared to agricultural pursuits, and in his youth received the benefit of the common schools. He enlisted in the war of the Rebellion in Company H, Forty-sixth Iowa Infantry, and was on guard duty most of the time while in the service. September 7, 1865, he was united in marriage to Mary J. Hudgel, a native of Auglaize County, Ohio, and daughter of Thomas Hudgel, who is now deceased. They have seven children – Matilda E., William L., Lillie M., Edwin P., Charles S., Ernest W. and Lena L. He settled on his farm in Troy Township, which he still owns, and which contains 460 acres of choice land under good cultivation. He left his farm in 1872, and was a resident of Murray until March, 1882, when he moved again to the farm, where he has since lived. On coming to Murray he began dealing in grain and stock, which he followed for five years, and is at present engaged in buying and shipping stock. Mr. Knotts is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a comrade of the Grand Army post at Murray.

SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Record of Clarke County, Iowa, Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1886 p. 337

Aaron S. Johnson

AARON S. JOHNSON, dealer in real estate, Osceola, and one of the pioneer business men of Clarke County, was born in Spencer, Owen County, Indiana, September 20, 1836. His father, David Johnson, was a native of Virginia, born at the base of the Monongahela Mountains, and during his early years was a noted hunter, the bear being his favorite game. He was by occupation a farmer, which he followed the greater part of his life.  He was twice married, his first marriage taking place when he was but fifteen years of age. He was married to his second wife, Frances McDaniel, in Indiana, she being a native of Stokes County, North Carolina, our subject being the youngest child of this union. The father was one of the early settlers of Indiana, remaining in that State until his death at the age of seventy-four years.  Aaron S. Johnson, our subject, passed his boyhood days on the farm, receiving his education in the common schools of his native county. He remained with his parents till reaching his majority, and in the spring of 1857 went to Kansas. In July of that same year he came to Osceola, Clarke County, Iowa, where he followed farming for two years.  At the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion he enlisted in the Sixth Iowa Infantry as a member of the band and was at the hard-fought battle of Shiloh. He was mustered out in 1862, but reenlisted in 1863, and for five months was with the Forty-sixth Iowa Infantry as First Orderly, and was sent south to Tennessee and Alabama. He was in the service nearly three years, when he was honorably discharged.  He then returned to Osceola, and for several years he was engaged in the mercantile business. He then engaged in his present business, which he has since followed with success.  He was married in 1864 to Miss Maria E. Middleswart, of Clarke County, Iowa, and to this union has been born one daughter – Fannie C. Mr. Johnson was Provost-Marshal for Clarke, Union and Decatur counties for one year. For many years he was a notary public. He has served as school trustee and as councilman of the city of Osceola.

SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Record of Clarke County, Iowa, Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1886 p. 381

Philip L. Fowler

PHILIP L. FOWLER, ex-county auditor, of Clarke County, is a native of Ohio, born in Tuscarawas County, September 3, 1845, a son of L. D. and Joanna (Laffer) Fowler, natives of Ohio and Kentucky respectively. The father moved his family to Clarke County, Iowa, in 1854, locating in Osceola. He was an active business man and had purchased the ground where the Arlington Hotel now stands (southwest corner of the public square) and was building a frame hotel, when he was accidently killed in a sawmill then located in the northeast part of Osceola, August 26, 1854. He was engaged in moving a slab and a wrong step caused him to be thrown against a saw, which caused his death almost instantly. The mother is still a resident of Clarke County.  Philip L. Fowler was but eight years of age when he accompanied his parents to Osceola. He attended the public schools of Osceola and later entered a select school, where he made rapid progress in his studies. At the age of seventeen he entered the clerk’s office, as deputy under A. H. Burrows.   In 1864, at the age of eighteen, he entered the army, enlisting in Company H, Forty-sixth Iowa. At the close of the war he returned to the clerk’s office and remained in that office a number of years. In 1873 he was elected auditor of Clarke County, which office he held for two terms of two years each. Retiring from office he contracted with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, and the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad to work out their road taxes upon the highways through the State, which contract he has had ever since.  In 1880 he went to Kentucky where he purchased a car load of fine Jersey cattle, and was the first to introduce a herd of this celebrated stock into Clarke County. He owns 300 acres of the best land for stock-raising in Osceola Township. It is well stocked with cattle and horses, among the latter being specimens of the celebrated Hambletonian roadsters.  Mr. Fowler was married in 1871, to Maggie A. McKee, of Osceola, a daughter of Professor W. A. McKee, who is now a resident of Knoxville, Iowa. Mr. Fowler has been president of the Clarke County Farmers’ and Mechanics’ Agricultural Society for several years, which has proved very successful under his management. He is also president of the Old Settlers’ Association. Mr. Fowler is not only an active man in the stock interests of his county, but is first and foremost in every enterprise which tends to the public good. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and takes an active interest in the Sabbath-school of which he is superintendent.

SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Record of Clarke County, Iowa, Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1886 p. 357-8

Esau A. Erb

ESAU A. ERB, residing on section 21, Franklin township, was born in Richland County, Ohio, April 4, 1841. His father, Christopher Erb, now lives in Wabash County, Indiana. His mother, Elizabeth (Buckingham) Erb, died when Esau was but thirteen days old. He was adopted by his maternal grandparents, Esau and Eliza Buckingham, then residents of Richland County.  In 1850 they became settlers of Iowa, and in 1851 pioneers of Green Bay Township, Clarke County. Shortly afterward they settled on section 16, Franklin township, where they passed the greater part of their lives. The grandfather died at the age of eighty years; his widow surviving him four years. They reared a large family – James W., who lives in Franklin Township; Joshua, a resident of Green Bay Township; Eliza Jane, McAllister, in Washington Township; Mrs. Alice Holmes, Great Bend, Kansas; Mrs. Mary Gafford, Dakota; Mrs. Sarah Harwood, Red Oak, Iowa; Elizabeth, deceased, mother of Esau; Wilson; Mrs. Urith Taylor and Mrs. Margaret E. Boserman. Mr. Erb, the subject of this sketch, was given a good education. He learned the saddle and harness trade in Osceola.  August 4, 1862, he enlisted in Company B, Eighteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, served under General Steele, and in February, 1863, was discharged for disability. Regaining his health, he again enlisted in 1864, in Company B, Forty-sixth Regiment, and served until the close of the war.  April 4,1870, he was married to Mrs. Martha Lavalle, widow of Newton Posten, and daughter of Henry Lavalle. She was born March 22, 1845. Her first husband was a member of the Thirty-ninth Iowa Volunteers, and died in the Atlanta campaign, leaving two children – Etta, wife of Enoch Luger, and Anna, now deceased.  After marriage Mr. Erb lived a short time in Union Township, Lucas County, then moved to his present home. He owns the homestead of his grandparents, forty acres on section 16. In all, his property contains 180 acres of land, with a fine residence. Their children are Nellie, Phebe, Mary E., Edna, Louis, Otis, William, Josephine, deceased. Mr. Erb is a member of the Masonic fraternity; affiliates with Unity Lodge No. 212, at Woodburn, and Davenport Post, No. 385, G.A.R. In politics he is a Republican.

SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Record of Clarke County, Iowa, Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1886 p. 405

41st – 48th Iowa Infantry Regiments

Attempts had been made to organize the Forty-first, Forty-second and Forty-third regiments of infantry, but were unsuccessful. In the summer of 1864 the governors of the western states proposed to the general government to send to the field a number of regiments enlisted for a short term to relieve the older regiments doing garrison duty and stationed on the western frontier. The proposition was accepted and Governor Stone, of Iowa, issued a proclamation calling on the people of the state for volunteers for 100 days. In response 3,900 men volunteered and were organized into the Forty-fourth, Forty-fifth Forty-sixth and Forty-seventh regiments and the Forty-eighth battalion of infantry.

The Forty-fourth was organized of companies raised in the counties of Dubuque, Muscatine, Linn, Butler, Clinton, Marshall, Boone, Polk, Dallas and Scott. The field officers were S. H. Henderson, colonel; Henry Egbert, lieutenant-colonel; Josiah Hopkins, major. It was mustered into service in June, 1864, at Davenport, and had 867 men.

The Forty-fifth was raised largely in the counties of Henry, Washington, Van Buren, Lee, Davis and Des Moines, and numbered 912 men. It was mustered in at Keokuk, May 25, 1864, with A. H. Bereman, colonel; Samuel A. Moore, lieutenant-colonel; and James B. Hope, major.

The Forty-sixth was enlisted chiefly in the counties of Dubuque, Poweshiek, Dallas, Guthrie, Fayette, Taylor, Linn, Delaware, Winneshiek, Appanoose, Monroe, Wayne, Clarke, Cedar and Lucas, and numbered 892 men. Its field officers were David B. Henderson, colonel; L. D. Durbin, lieutenant-colonel; and George L. Torbert, major; and it was mustered into service in June, 1864.

The Forty-seventh was made up from companies raised largely in the counties of Marion, Appanoose, Benton, Wapello, Buchanan, Madison, Polk, Johnson, Keokuk and Mahaska, and numbered 884 men. Its field officers were James P. Sanford, colonel; John Williams, lieutenant-colonel; and George J. North, major. It was mustered into service in June, 1864.

The Forty-eighth battalion numbered 346 men, raised mostly in the counties of Warren, Jasper, Decatur and Des Moines, and were mustered into the service at Davenport, in July, 1864, with O. H. P. Scott, colonel.

The Forty-fourth, Forty-fifth and Forty-sixth regiments were sent to Tennessee, to guard railroads and perform garrison duty, while the Forty-seventh was sent to Helena, where it suffered greatly from sickness. The Forty-eighth battalion guarded rebel prisoners on Rock Island.

The services of the hundred-days-men were acknowledged in a proclamation issued by President Lincoln in October, and thanks were tendered to the states which furnished them.

SOURCE: Benjamin F. Gue, Biographies And Portraits Of The Progressive Men Of Iowa, Volume 1, p. 119

David Bremner Henderson

1^st Lieutenant, Co. C, 12^th Iowa Infantry

Colonel, 46^th Iowa Infantry

39th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives

Robert Quigley

Senator from the Thirty-sixth district, composed of Clayton county, was born at Millville, in Clayton county, Iowa, December 31, 1845, of American-born parents. Attended common school in Clayton county, and two years at the U. I. U. at Fayette, Iowa, from which place he enlisted In Company D, 46th Iowa Infantry, and at the expiration of service of said regiment he joined Company K, Fifteenth Iowa Infantry and served until the close of the civil war. Entered the office of Elijah Odell at McGregor, Iowa, as a law student November 1, 1866, and remained until April 4, 1867, when he went into the office of Murdock & Stoneman. Was admitted to practice law February 28, 1868, and was elected city attorney of McGregor at March election, 1868, and with the exception of only six years he held the office up to January 1, 1908. Was twice elected county attorney of Clayton county. Elected senator In 1908. Re-elected In 1912. Up to 1881 affiliated with the republican party; since then with the democratic party.

SOURCE: Roy M. Williams, Compiler, The Iowa Official Register, Volume 25, for the years 1913-1914, p. 678

Robert Quigley

Senator from the Thirty-sixth district, composed of Clayton county, was born at Millville, in Clayton county, Iowa, December 31, 1844, of American-born parents. Attended common school in Clayton county, and two years at the U. I. U. at Fayette, Iowa, from which place he enlisted in Company D, 46th Iowa Infantry, and at the expiration of service of said regiment he Joined Company K, Fifteenth Iowa Infantry and served until the close of the civil war. Entered the office of Elijah Odell at McGregor, Iowa, as a law student November 1, 1866, and remained until April 4, 1867, when he went into the office of Murdock & Stoneman. Was admitted to practice law February 28, 1868, and was elected city attorney of McGregor at March election, 1868 and with the exception of only six years he held the office up to January 1, 1908. Was married to Blanche Jacobs November 24, 1875, and to them were born one son and three daughters. His wife died May 18, 1911. Was twice elected county attorney of Clayton county. Elected senator In 1908. Re-elected in 1912. Up to 1881 affiliated with the republican party; since then with the democratic party.

SOURCE: Henry C. Baumgartner, The Iowa Official Register, Vol. 26 For The Years 1915-1916,  p. 713

Robert Quigley

Senator from the Thirty-sixth District, composed of Clayton county, was born at Millville, in Clayton county, Iowa, December 31, 1845, of American-born parents. Attended common school In Clayton county, and two years at the N. I. N. at Fayette, Iowa, from which place he enlisted In Company D, 46th Iowa Infantry, and at the expiration of service of said regiment he Joined Company K, 15th Iowa Infantry and served until the close of the Civil War. Entered the office of Elijah Odell at McGregor, Iowa, as a law student November 1, 1866, and remained until April 4, 1867, when he went into the office of Murdock & Stoneman. Was admitted to practice law February 28, 1868, and was elected City Attorney of McGregor at March election, 1868, and with the exception of only six years has held the office up to the present time. Was twice elected County Attorney of Clayton county. Is married and his family consists of a wife, three girls and a boy. Elected Senator [Iowa Legislature] in 1908. Up to 1881 affiliated with the Republican party; since then with Democratic party.

SOURCE: Guy S. Brewer, Compiler, The Iowa Official Register For The Years 1909-1910, p. 649-50

Iowa Colonels and Regiments: Appendix

SAMUEL M. POLLOCK, second colonel, 6th Cavalry, is a native of Ohio: age, thirty-five.

HERMAN H. HEATH, second colonel, 7th Cavalry, is a native of New York: age, forty-two.

HUGH J. CAMPBELL, second colonel, 18th Infantry, is a native of Pennsylvania: age, thirty-three.

JOHN Q. WILDS, second colonel, 24th Infantry, (mortally wounded at Cedar Creek, Virginia) is a native of Pennsylvania: age, forty.

GUSTAVUS A. EBERHART, second colonel, 32d Infantry, is a native of Pennsylvania: age twenty-nine.


IOWA COLONELS OF THE ONE-HUNDRED-DAYS’ SERVICE.

STEPHEN H. HENDERSON, 44th Iowa Infantry, is a native of Tennessee: age, thirty-six.

ALVAH H. BEREMAN, 45th Iowa Infantry, is a native of Kentucky: age, thirty-six.

DAVID B. HENDERSON, 46th Iowa Infantry, Is a native of Scotland: age, twenty-six.

JAMES P. SANFORD, 47th Iowa Infantry, is a native of New York: age, thirty-two.


SOURCE: Addison A. Stuart, Iowa Colonels and Regiments, p. 652

46th Iowa Infantry

Organized at Davenport June 10, 1864. Ordered to Memphis, Tenn., June 20, and to Colliersville, Tenn., June 27. Assigned to guard duty on Memphis & Charleston Railroad till September, 1864. Action near Colliersville, Tenn., July 24 (Detachment of Company "I"). Repulse of Forest's attack on Memphis August 21 (Detachment). Mustered out September 23, 1864.

Regiment lost during service 1 Enlisted man killed and 27 Enlisted men by disease. Total 28.

SOURCE: Dyer , Frederick H., A Compendium Of The War Of The Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1181