Major John L. Young

MAJOR JOHN L. YOUNG, of Leon, is one of the oldest practicing lawyers of Decatur County, having settled here in the fall of 1859.  Judge Samuel Farrey preceded him, and with this exception Major Young is the oldest practicing attorney of Leon.  He was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, June 30, 1833.  He removed, with his parents, John and Nancy Young, to White County, Indiana, where his mother died in 1840, and his father in 1841.  After the death of his parents he was bound out to a farmer in Warren County, where he remained until fourteen years of age, when, becoming dissatisfied with his condition, he ran away and apprenticed himself to the harness trade, at which he continued two years, when, again becoming restless under the restraints placed upon him, he left his employer and resolved to go elsewhere — in fact, had started on his journey when he was induced by a brother to return to Independence, Warren County, where he had worked.  Up to this time he had received but little opportunity for learning, the extent of his education being his ability to read a little.  It was now that he began to realize the importance of education.  He worked at anything he could get to do that would enable him to earn a penny, even engaging as a boot-black and other menial services.  But, fortunately, better opportunities were at hand for him.  The man to whom he had been bound suddenly died, and his widow, a very estimable lady, and possessed of wealth, continued to manifest an interest in him, and proposed to take him with her to Kingston, Ohio, whither she had removed.  Here he received excellent advantages, attending the academy at that place two years, and making excellent progress.  The lady desired to have him study for the ministry, but this course was not agreeable to him.  In the fall of 1852 he came to Oskaloosa, Iowa, and attended a normal school for some time, engaging as a student and teacher until 1855, when he went to Fort Madison and engaged as clerk in the penitentiary, and reading law at the same time with J. M. Reed, Esq.  In March, 1856, he went to Bloomfield, where he engaged in teaching, and also read law under the instruction of Trimble & Baker.  January 18, 1858, he was admitted to the bar in the Supreme Court, at Des Moines.  He practiced at Bloomfield until November, 1859, when he came to Leon, as before stated.  He immediately commenced the practice of his chosen profession with a young man named V. Wanwright.  This partnership was formed in February, 1860.   June 10, 1861, Edwards' Border Brigade was organized.  Mr. young joined this brigade as a private, making several raids into Missouri, going once as far as Hannibal.  He was made Quartermaster of this command, with headquarters at St. Joseph.  In November of that same year he enlisted in Company A, Seventeenth Iowa Infantry, being the first man mustered in.  He had raised twenty-six men for a Missouri cavalry company, but was prevented from taking his men out of the State, so joined the regiment above mentioned  He served as a private three or four months, then came home in recruiting service.  He was very successful in this undertaking, raising 104 in a few days.  Upon the organization of this company Mr. Young was elected its Captain, serving as such until January 20,1863, and participating in the battles of Farmington and Iuka.  At the last mentioned battle a large part of his regiment, including the Colonel, behaved in a cowardly manner.  His company and one other remained unbroken, and he was ordered to take command of what remained of the regiment on the field of battle, and he acquitted himself nobly on this occasion.  The Colonel was put under arrest, and Major Young remained in command of the regiment from that time, September 19, until the first of November.  He commanded the regiment at the battle of Cornith, where it nobly redeemed itself from the disgrace of Iuka.  For his services on this occasion he was highly complimented by General Rosecrans.  January 20, 1863, he resigned and came home.  In August of that year, having recovered his health, he raised a company for the Ninth Iowa Cavalry, was made Captain of the company, and served in that capacity until November 18, 1865, when he was promoted to Major.  This was after the close of the war, the regiment being stationed at Fort Smith, in the border of Indian Territory.  While in the cavalry service his command was principally engaged in guerrilla warfare, in Arkansas, going into Fort Smith in September, 1865, where he had command of all the cavalry at that point.  He as mustered out at Little Rock February 18, 1866.  He then returned to Leon and resumed the practice of his profession.  June 28, 1868, he formed a partnership with Judge John W. Harvey, which continued until 1869, when, through his efforts, a National Bank was secured, and he was made cashier.  He retained this position until 1871.  He then organized the People's Bank at Leon, which did not prove a successful venture.  At the termination of its existence, however, all home creditors were paid in full.  Mr. Young was then for some time engaged in traveling as attorney for Dood, Brown & Co., of St. Louis.  In 1877 he came back and re-formed a partnership with Judge Harvey, which continued until the latter was nominated for judge, in 1882, when Stephen Vargo became associated him.  The present firm of Young & Parish was formed August 3, 1883.  Major Young was married October 19, 1863, to Miss Libbie Woodbury, who accompanied her husband to the army and remained until the company was ordered to the field.  Later, with their boy, Lew, she joined her husband at Fort Smith.  Mrs. Young is a native of Michigan. Her parents, James and Susan Woodbury, were from Sutton, Massachusetts.  Their children are Lew H., Susie, Mollie, Carrie, Maggie, Helen and John Orr.

SOURCE: “Biographical and Historical Record of Ringgold and Decatur Counties, Iowa,” p. 555-7

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant John S. Morgan: Saturday, February 11, 1865

Beautiful day. 28th Wis leave this morning. A. M. in town for hinges for co desks. P. M. in camp. Evening in quarters. Sergt Killenbarger of 9th Iowa Cav in camp.

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, 33rd Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 13, No. 8, April 1923, p. 573

James C. Painter

JAMES C. PAINTER, proprietor of the flour-mills at Osceola, is a native of England, born in Berks County. He came to America when quite young, locating in the State of Illinois. He began learning the miller’s trade in Fulton County, Illinois, finishing his trade at Peoria.  He enlisted in the Union Army in 1862 in Company F, Fifty-seventh Illinois Infantry to serve three months. At the expiration of his term of service he reenlisted in the Ninth Iowa Cavalry, in which he served till June 30, 1863. Mr. Painter is a thorough, practical miller, and has been connected with the milling business since 1861.  He came to Clarke County, Iowa, in 1868, and for about ten months worked for Raymond & Kelley, proprietors of the City Mills, at Osceola. He then went to Union County, Iowa, becoming a partner in the Afton Mills, being associated with the Grant Brothers, under the firm name of Grant, Painter & Grant. About five years later he disposed of his interest in the Afton Mills and returned to Osceola, Clarke County, forming a partnership with D. R. Raymond, which continued until June, 1881, when he sold his interest to his partner, and in October of the same year built his present mills, which are the principal flouring mills in the county. It is run by the roller process and turn out about forty barrels in twenty-four hours.

SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Record of Clarke County, Iowa, Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1886 p. 390

Calvin R. Johnson

CALVIN R. JOHNSON died at his residence in Washington, D.C., May 21, 1879, in the sixtieth year of his age. he was a native of Portage County, Ohio, in which State and Pennsylvania he spent his early life, coming to Iowa about a quarter of a century ago. He employed himself for the first few years after coming to this State in teaching principally, being eminently successful as a teacher, having taught in Ottumwa, Osceola and Hopeville.  In 1857 he began to take a prominent part in the affairs and history of Clarke County, having that year been elected to the office of county assessor. In 1858 he was elected clerk of the district Court, over M. R. Lamson, a very popular and efficient officer, by a majority of three votes, which office he filled one term with much honor and acceptance. In 1863 he was elected to the Legislature as representative from Clarke County, and served in that capacity for one term, taking a prominent part in the leading and exciting political measures incident to the turbulent scenes of the great war of the rebellion.  He had during that year entered the military branch of the service of his country, going out as Captain of Company H, Ninth Iowa Cavalry. It was during the summer of 1864, in the State of Arkansas, that he contracted the disease which clung to him with remarkable tenacity all the weary days of his life, until finally, after fifteen years of almost incessant suffering he yielded to the inexorable demands of the grim monster, death.  Mr. Johnson was connected with the pension department at the time of his death, and had been for the last thirteen years of his life. He was a man of fine business capacity – fully competent for any position to which he was ever called. He was also a man of more than ordinary ability as a speaker, being thoroughly posted in all the leading moral, political, scientific and religious questions of the day. His mind was well disciplined, and with a ready flow of the most expressive language he was at once ready to discuss, intelligently, privately or publicly, any of the leading issues of the times in which he lived.  He left to mourn his loss a wife and daughter in Washington, and five sons in Iowa, and a daughter in Maryland; also many warm friends in this community and throughout the county.

SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Record of Clarke County, Iowa, Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1886 p. 434

Greene C. Adkins

GREENE C. ADKINS, son of the late Wyatt Adkins, was born in Pulaski County, Kentucky, September 1, 1837. He was reared on the homestead farm in his native county, and there attended the log-cabin subscription schools, with puncheon floor, split-log seats, greased paper for windows, and clapboard roof. In 1856 he came with his parents to Doyle Township, Clarke County, which has since been his home.

In May, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, Sixth Iowa Infantry, and was taken prisoner at the siege of Corinth. He was discharged on account of disability in November, 1862. In August, 1863, he re-enlisted in Company H, Iowa Cavalry, and was in the service till February, 1866. He commanded a company of twenty-seven men at Gun Springs, Arkansas, fourteen of whom were killed or wounded. The rest were taken prisoners with the exception of Mr. Adkins, who managed to escape that time. He was taken prisoner in May, and confined in a negro jail at Jackson, Mississippi. The prisoners were taken to Pearl River to bathe, and while returning from the river our subject picked up a railroad spike which he concealed under his clothes. With this spike they managed to pry off a board, then tunneled through a brick wall twenty inches in thickness, and after climbing twenty-seven feet down a tarred rope six of them escaped, but three were afterward caught by bloodhounds. Mr. Adkins and two other prisoners reached the river, and while an old rebel was praying our subject stole his skiff, with which they managed to reach the mouth of Black River, where they were picked up by a Union vessel.

Mr. Adkins was united in marriage August 27, 1863, to Catharine Shields, a daughter of John Shields, who is now deceased. They have five children – Elmer, William, Laura, Cora and Lizzie. Mr. Adkins is one of the prosperous farmers of Doyle Township, and is also a successful stock-raiser. He has a well-cultivated farm on section 4, Doyle Township, where he resides, which contains 340 acres. Mr. Adkins is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He has been a member of the Christian church for the past twenty-nine years.

SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Record of Clarke County, Iowa, Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1886 p. 432

Edgar Tarbell Ensign

The law, banking, insurance and public service claimed the attention and energies of Edgar Tarbell Ensign through a long and useful career covering almost seventy-nine years, and his public service covered both military activity and the establishment and development of national forestry interests in the west. Mr. Ensign was born at Moriah, Essex county, New York, September 9, 1839, a son of Charles W. and Harriet (Tarbell) Ensign, the latter a sister of Jonathan Tarbell, who was a lieutenant-colonel of the Ninety-first New York Volunteer Infantry, and became a brigadier general of United States Volunteers in the Civil war.

Edgar T. Ensign, after attending the district school and the village academy of Moriah, New York, became a student in a private school for boys conducted by a Mr. Durkee and his son at Saratoga Springs, New York. In the year 1856 he went to Des Moines, Iowa, where he obtained employment in the banking house of A. J. Stearns & Company, and three years after his removal to the middle west he was there joined by his parents. He had resided in Iowa for only two years when in 1858 he was appointed deputy state treasurer. In May, 1861, however, all business and personal considerations were put aside that he might respond to the country's call for troops to aid in the preservation of the Union. He joined the Second Iowa Volunteer Infantry and was promoted through various grades to the rank of captain. The date of his enlistment was May 4, 1861. He was commissioned second lieutenant on the 1st of June following and first lieutenant on the 1st of December of the same year, while on the 22d of June, 1862, he received the captain's commission. On the 20th of October, 1863, he was commissioned major of the Ninth Regiment of Iowa Cavalry, Volunteers, and was brevetted lieutenant-colonel and colonel of United States Volunteers, March 13, 1865. He resigned from the army on the 27th of October of the same year. His long term of active service was distinguished by the most splendid military qualities. Although wounded at Fort Donelson, Tennessee, he returned to his command and both before and afterward led his men in many a gallant charge.

In 1866 Colonel Ensign took up the study of law and won his LL. B. and A. B. degrees from the Iowa Law School, while subsequently he received the LL. B. degree from the law department of Columbian College, which was later merged into the George Washington University. With his admission to the bar in 1868, he entered upon active practice in Des Moines and the same year was made district attorney. He resided in Des Moines until 1874, when attracted by the opportunities of the west, he came to Colorado Springs and opened a law office. Soon afterward he was appointed commissioner of the United States circuit court and from 1883 until 1893 he was in public office, serving for six years as state forest commissioner and for two years as special agent of the United States general land office in the laying out of forest reserves, afterward known as national forests. His work in forestry was especially noteworthy and his public service in this connection gained for him warm commendation. In 1895 he was active in organizing the Assurance Savings & Loan Association, of which he was president and manager until September, 1917. In the meantime he had entered the field of banking, having become in 1902 one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Colorado City and also of the National Bank Building Company. Elected to the presidency of the First National, he continued to serve in that position for three years, largely shaping its policy and directing its activities during that early period.

It was while still a resident of Des Moines that Colonel Ensign was married on the 17th of October, 1872, to Miss Lilla Butin, a daughter of Dwight L. and Charlotte C. Butin, of Baldwinsville, New York. She survives her husband and remains a resident of Colorado Springs, the Ensign home having been at No. 1415 North Nevada avenue for more than thirty-five years. There were no spectacular phases in the life of Colonel Ensign. It was ever a hard fought battle for progress, for advancement and for right and he came off victor in the strife. Whatever he undertook, the integrity of his purpose was never questioned and the Memoriam of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, to which he belonged, said: "The life career of Colonel Ensign as a gentleman, a soldier and a friend is worthy of emulation by all." His demise occurred on the 15th of February, 1918.

SOURCE:  Wilbur Fiske Stone, Editor, History of Colorado, Volume 4, p. 523-4

The Ninth Iowa Cavalry

This was the last Iowa regiment raised under the call for three years troops. It was organized at Davenport in November, 1863, and had nearly 1,200 men. The field officers were, colonel, M. M. Trumbull; lieutenant-colonel, J. P. Knight; majors, Edgar T. Ensign, William Haddock and Willis Drummond.  The services of this regiment were in Arkansas, scouting, garrison and guard duties, where it lost many men from disease, but none killed in battle.  Detachments had some skirmishes with guerrilla bands but the regiment was not engaged in any battles.  It served until February 19, 1866, when it was mustered out at Little Rock, Ark.  During its term of service it marched more than 2,000 miles.  It lost from sickness 164 men; by drowning, two, and from wounds fifteen.

SOURCE: Benjamin F. Gue, Biographies And Portraits Of The Progressive Men Of Iowa, Volume 1, p. 123-4

The Marsh-Sniff Family

During the war Jasper N. Marsh, the son of Isaac L. and Martha A. (Williams) Marsh, enlisted in Co. E, 16th Iowa Vol. Inf., and veteranized two years later, in 1864. He was taken prisoner near Atlanta, Ga., and for nearly nine months experienced the horrors of Andersonville Prison.

His brother, Wesley H. Marsh, was a member of Co. M, 9th Iowa Vol. Cav., served his term of enlistment, and received an honorable discharge in July, 1863.

Amos Sniff, the husband of the. daughter, Rebecca J. Marsh, was a member of Co. I, 16th Iowa Volunteers; he was taken prisoner near Atlanta, Ga., and also held a captive for about nine months in Andersonville.

Ephraim Sniff, who married Eurena E. Marsh, enlisted in the same regiment as his brother, remained in service until the close of the war. and returned home unharmed; he afterward went to Kansas and died there.

Samuel M. Marsh, son of William and Lodica (Knight) Marsh, and a brother of Isaac L. Marsh, was a Sergeant of Co. I, 30th Iowa Vol. Inf.; he enlisted Aug. 22, 1862,and was discharged June 5, 1865. He returned home shortly afterward, and died of consumption Feb. 22, 1877, leaving a widow and four children — William, Ellen, Vandale and Martha. These children, with the exception of the eldest, have made their home with their uncle, Isaac L. Marsh, since the death of their father, and have received the kindest of care.

SOURCE: Abstracted from the biographical sketch of Isaac L. Marsh in Portrait And Biographical Album Of Lee County, Iowa, published by Chipman Brothers, Chicago, IL, 1887, p. 367-8

Alfred R. Wilson

Private, Co. H, 9th Iowa Cavalry

Colonel Matthew M. Trumbull

NINTH CAVALRY.

Matthew M. Trumbull is an Englishman, and about thirty-eight years of age. Of the date of his immigration to the United States, as, indeed, of all his early history, I am ignorant.

Colonel Trumbull entered the service in the spring of 1861, as captain of Company I, 3d Iowa Infantry, and served with that regiment with distinction till November, 1862, having in the meantime been promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel. The history of his military services while connected with the above named regiment will be found in the sketch of Colonel Wilson G. Williams.

After resigning his commission in the 3d Iowa, the colonel returned to his home in Clarksville, Iowa, and soon after received an appointment in the adjutant-general's office. He was commissioned colonel of the 9th Iowa Cavalry in the fall of 1863, and in the following Winter accompanied it to the field.

There is little of general interest connected with the history of the 9th Iowa Cavalry. Its field of service has been confined to Arkansas, the head-quarters of the regiment having been maintained a chief portion of the time at Brownsville, midway between Duvall's Bluff and Little Rock. Its most active and laborious service was performed while General Steele was in a state of siege at Little Rock. During this time, it engaged the enemy in frequent skirmishes, but none of them were of much importance.

SOURCE: Addison A. Stuart, Iowa Colonels and Regiments, p. 651

LIEUTENANT EDGAR ENSIGN . . .

. . . is still at Monroe, Jasper county, lingering with serious sickness. From last accounts, he was not improving. We regret to hear this bad news from the gallant young officer.

– Published in the Daily State Register, Des Moines, Iowa, Friday, April 18, 1862

9th Iowa Cavalry

Organized at Davenport and mustered in November 30, 1863. Moved to St. Louis, Mo., December 8-11, thence to Benton Barracks, Mo., December 16, and duty there till April, 1864. Attached to District of St. Louis, Mo., Dept. Missouri, to May, 1864. 3rd (Cavalry) Brigade, 2nd Division, 7th Army Corps, Dept. of Arkansas, to September, 1864. 3rd Brigade, Cavalry Division, 7th Corps, to February, 1865. Cavalry Brigade, Little Rock, 1st Division, 7th Corps, to August, 1865. Dept. of Arkansas to March, 1866.

SERVICE.--Moved to Rolla, Mo., and return to Jefferson Barracks April 14-19, 1864, Duty there till May 15. Moved to Duvall's Bluff, Ark., May 15-23, and duty there till September. West Point June 16. Clarendon June 25-26. Expedition from Little Rock to Little Red River August 6-16. Jones' Hay Station August 24. Long Prairie August 24. Brownsville August 25. Bull Bayou August 26. Expedition in pursuit of Shelby August 27-September 6. Searcy September 6. At Austin and Brownsville till November 4. Brownsville October 30. Pursuit of Price November 4-18. Expedition from Brownsville to Des Arc, and skirmish December 6 (Detachment). Expedition to Fort Smith November 2-24 (Detachment). At Brownsville till June, 1865. Expedition from Brownsville to Augusta January 4-27. Moved to Lewisburg June 11. Duty there and at various points in Arkansas till March, 1866. Mustered out March 23, 1866.


SOURCE: Dyer , Frederick H., A Compendium Of The War Of The Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1163

An Interesting Letter found at Benton Barracks

Benton Barracks St. Louis Mo.
Jan. 15th 1864.

Friend Caverly:

Sir

Below is a letter that was picked up by a member of Co. H., 9th Iowa Cav. It will show the people of Clark, what a true Democrat is.

May 11th, 1863

Dear Brother:

I again seat myself to write you another letter to let you know that we are all well at this time except father; he is sick and has been for too or three days, he is better today than he has been. I hope this letter will find you in good health and enjoying all the fun you can have. I dont have any fun nowadays; I feel more like fighting than any thing els, for the damed abolitions is trying to put down the democeats, and have a good time with the sons of b-----s. They give the democrats the Name of butternuts; and it didnet make us mad, and they are beat bad Over it. we got Butternuts and made Breastpins out of them. and wore them, and it makes them awful mad They threaten to take the butternuts of our democrats and have tride it but have failed in the effort. I just dare any of the niggerheads to take one of ove me Ill be g-d d----d if they ever take of any more. Brother I want you to stick to the democrats as long as you live. John I wish to god that every durned abolitionist in the country wor in the hotest place in h-ll, for they are the very ones that caused this war, and wanted to carry it on till every man, woman and Child, in the south is killed and every nigger set free. the cursed preachers preach that very doctrine. I have qite going to meeting any more for there is no good a going, the devil is in the people and he will have to come out some way. the democrats wants the union as it was, and the constitution as it is, and the niggers with thare masters. Dear Brother you must not think strange of me writing such a letter to you; if you was here you would know all about it. Brother I want you lived and dye a democrat; you will remember one for they are all the Party that will save the government if the can have the power to do so. they have arrested several of the democrats, and put them in prison, but they have release them again, they arrested John Vaness, Decatur, you know him I have nat heard what they have done with him John we are going to have war here at home, I think it is not far of. I think our country is sore and awful bad fix now, and god only knows what is to happen next. I have said enough about the war. I will haftoo close; write swon if you please excuse bad writing and mistakes.

John you must not think Strange of me Swaring for I fell from grace long, ago, I never swore as much in my life till since the war commence, the bible says that david curse in his wrath and so curse I.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Saturday, January 23, 1864