Augusta Township (part 2 of 2)

Dr. D. C. Miller was born in Saratoga county, N. Y., inside of the entrenchments of the battle-ground of Bemis Heights, Sept. 26, 1820. His parents were Newell and Matilda (Carter) Miller. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools, and Tro}' Academy, at Troy, N. Y. At the age of 23 years he studied medicine, but feeling it his duty to engage in the ministry he went to Wisconsin in 184G, where he labored as a missionary in the employ of the Free-Will Baptist Home Mission Society several years. He then labored for some time without any aid from the missionary society. His labors while there were very great. He has ridden 50 miles and preached three sermons all in one day. He drove his team 5,582 miles in one j'ear, besides traveling to some extent on cars and steamboat. He was married, June 17, 18-17, to Miss Eliza Babcock, by whom he has had 9 children ; of these 5 are living; viz., Eugene'A., Alvin A., D. Gay, Effa and Harry T. Alvin and Eugene are married. Mr. Miller met with a severe accident in 1869, in this wise: While the train he was on was standing at a station about eight miles west of Madison, Wis., an extra (or "wild") train came up behind and ran into this one, causing a fearful wreck. The Doctor practiced medicine some prior to leaving the ministry, but as his disability rendered him unable to preach, he has since devoted his entire attention to the practice of medicine, and has attained a good patronage.

F. J. Potts, a native of New York, was born Aug. 23, 1816. When 16 years of age he entered the machine shops and spent five years in learning that trade. He came to this county in 1845, where he followed the same business. Mr. Potts was first married Feb. 15, 1840, to Mary J. Bredett, who died in 1843; he was again married in 184S to Emily Bredett. She died in 1875. Mr. P. was married the third time Dec. 5, 1878, to Mary H. Smith.

SaimielF. Pray, farmer and stock-dealer; P. O., Hamilton; was born in New Hampshire; was principally reared in Massachusetts. He spent two years of his early manhood in clerking in a dry-goods store; in 1842 came to this county and settled near Carthage. There he lived until 1S5S. Three years of this time was spent as diver in the Mississippi river seeking for wrecked boats. In 1850 he went to California, and returned in 1851. He has resided near Hamilton since 1858. Mr. Pray has been a stock-dealer and shipper for about 23 years. He owns a farm of 800 acres and a fine residence. He took an active part against the Mormons, was appointed commander of the " Carthage Piflemen," and was at their head in the skirmish at Nauvoo, which lasted 2J hours: 14 of his men were wounded; but one proved fatal. Mr. Pray was married Nov. 26, 1849, to Frances J. Haggard. lie is of English ancestry. His father had two brothers that fought in the Revolutionary war His progenitors were among the early settlers of America.

A. Puntenny is a native of Adams countj, O., where he was born Feb. 10, 1S34; is a son of John and Araminta Puntenny, both natives of Ohio. He came to Keokuk, la., with his grawdfather in 18J:6, "and lived with him till he was of age. In February, 1865, he enlisted in the army, Co. K, 156th Regiment, 111. Inft., under Colonel A. F. Smith; was mustered 'out Sept. 15, 1865, and the 28th of the same month he was discharged and returned home. He was married Feb. 16, 1861, to Isabella Kerr. They have had 5 children, 4 are living - 3 sons and 1 daughter- His occupation is farming; P. O., Elvaston.

Malachi Richardson was born in Bucks county, Pa., Jan. 28, 1802, and is a son of Clement and Catharine (Baker) Richardson (dec). He was raised on a farm until 16 years old.

He engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods in the town of Butler, Pa., for iifteen years; removed to Cincinnati, O., in 1839, where he engaged in silver-plating with a brother-in-law for about ten years. He then removed to Hamilton, O., and again engaged in the woolen business, which he carried on for about eight or nine yeai's. He came to Keokuk, la., about the year 1856, and to this county in 1857.

While in Keokuk, he owned a farm near that place. He has been married three times, and is the father of 11 children. He was married to his first wife, Miss Sarah Patterson, Apr. 1, 1823, in Butler, Pa. ; to his second wife. Miss Margaret Finney, Sept. 30, 1852; and to his present wife, Mary A. Campbell, Dec. 27, 1864. His children are, Elizabeth A., Catharine J., Sarah F., Mary A., Susan P., James C, Selina E., John JST. (dec), Wm. B., Malachi H. and Loyal C. The last named died while in the service during the late war.

James C. is President of the Halderman Paper Mills, of Cincinnati, O.; Malachi is a member of the firm of Stephens & Co., grocers, on Fourth street, Cincinnati, O. ; Wm. B. is Government Ganger of Liquors at Cincinnati, O.; Elizabeth is now Mrs. Rev. Henry Allen, of Jersey City, N. J.; Catharine is Mrs. David Combs, of Indiana; Sarah is Mrs. Robert French, of St. Louis, Mo.; Mary is Mrs. R. B. French, of Cincinnati, O.; Susan, widow Combs, of Clinton county, Ind.; Selina, Mrs. John Monroe, of Chicago, 111. Our subject resides in section 24, Montebello.

Dr. E. B. Bingland was born in Washington county. Pa., Jan. 4, 1845, and is a son of Newton and Jane Ringland, also natives of Pennsylvania. He is a grandson of Colonel Thomas Ringland, who was Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Pennsylvania Legislature two terms.

Our subject received a common-school education in his native county, and received a medical education in Dr. Trail's Hygeio- Theraputic College, near Philadelphia, Pa. He is also a graduate of the Keokuk College of Physicians and Surgeons.

Durham, Tp

two years with Dr. Paul Caster, of Ottumwa, la., using his celebrated Swedish movements in Caster's establishment. He reopened the Riverside Institute in 1878, and has secured the services of Dr. Dodge, the noted magnetic physician. Hundreds of cases of paralysis, rheumatism, deformities, epilepsy, etc., have been speedily cured at Riverside by the combined influences of his magnetic power. Dr. Ringland's Swedish movements, and the water cure. Dr. Ringland was two years and a half in tlie late war. He enlisted in the medical department, and was promoted to Second Lieutenant.

Thomas Buggies was born December 13, 1823, in Davis county, Indiana, and is a son of Jacob and Henrietta (McDonald) Ruggles, natives of Kentucky. He was reared on a farm and received a limited education in an old log school-house in his native State. He has since that time educated himself by his own exertions, and afterward became an attorney at law. He obtained law books of his uncle, David McDonald, who was afterward appointed U. S. District Judge by Abraham Lincoln. Mr. Ruggles came to this county in 1S4S, where he engaged in farming a few years ; and then engaged in the mercantile business for several years, with a Mr. Allen. He has served as Justice of the Peace for 12 years, and was Supervisor several terms, and was one of the first Trustees of the town of Hamilton. He was married in 1849, to Miss Elizabeth Waller, by whom he had 4 children ; only one is living; viz., Kate. Mrs. Ruggles died in 1857, and Mr. R. again married, in 1858, this time to Miss Hannah Q. Choate, by whom he had 6 children ; 4 of these are living; viz., Thomas G., Clara, Edmond and Leon, Mrs. R. died in 1872, and Mr. R. married his third wife in 1874, Mrs. Anna B. Mason. Mr. Ruggles came to Illinois alone and on horseback, being attracted here by the reports of Mormon troubles. He is now an attorney at law.

Stephen F. Safford and Louisa Hunt, the former born at New Ipswich, Mass., July 7, 1809, the latter at Peterborough, JSI.H., Oct. 11, 1812, were married May 17, 1836, settling in Quincy, 111., where Mr. Saftbrd had located when he emigrated to the West, in 1832. They resided in this county until the fall of 1856, when they removed to Hamilton, Hancock county. 111. The first few years of their Western life were devoted to teaching school, after which they became the owners of a small farm, and from this beginning, by prudence, industry and perseverance, grew to become the owners of a comfortable estate free from any dishonorable stain. Always active in religious, philanthropic and educational work, they did much for the best interests of Hamilton, and the death of Mr. Safford, Jan. 7, 1860, deprived the community of an earnest worker and public-spirited citizen. The writer of his obituary says : " He was universally esteemed for his rectitude and strict integrity in his dealings and intercourse with his fellow-men. He had a deep and abiding reverence for the practical excellencies of the Christian religion, and ever seemed prompt to evince it by his ready succor of the needy and distressed, and kind and obliging conduct to all. Naturally of reilective mood and with a large share of practical sense, he attached more importance to the substance of things than the form, which made him, though not an ultraistin opinion, more than commonly liberal and tolerant. Though not obtrusive of his views, he was an independent thinker and spoke his convictions with freedom and decision."

He was early interefted in the cause of the colored race, and more than once imperiled his life by his protection of fugitive slaves. After his death Mrs. Saiibrd remained on the home farm, devoting herself to the care of their children and the management of the estate, until the spring of 1874, when she moved into a pleasant home in the village of Oakwood, where she now resides. Of 7 children 5 are now living, 3 sons and 2 daughters.

S. E. Simpson is a native of Cayuga county, Oliio, and was born Jan. 5, 1S23. His parents were Sylvanus L. and Susannah (Harrington) Simpson. He was reared on a farm, and educated in a common school. In 1860 he married Miss Sarah N. Reed, by whom he has 3 children; viz., S. Ensign, Cassius A. and Empire L. He came to this county in the autumn of 1861, and settled on sec. 8, Montebello tp., where he still resides, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising. His grandfather, Alexander Simpson, was a soldier in the Revolution, and his father served in the war of 1812. Mr. Simpson went overland to California in 1853 ; from there to Mexico, and returned by ship in 1857. While in Mexico he was taken prisoner by the Mexicans, but they were compelled to release him.

Gen. Robert F. Smith. - This gentleman was born in Philadelphia, Pa., August 2, 1806, and is a son of John and Mary (Raymond) Smith, natives of London, Eng. ; was reared and educated in his native city, where he learned the harness and saddlery trade; he came to this county in the spring of 1833, but returned the following autumn; June 19, 1834, he married Miss Amanda Benton, and came back to this county. Their 14 children are all living; namely, Emma, Louisa, John, George, Robert, Henry, Mary H., Clara D., Franklin W., Annette, Edward H., Alexander S., Eleanor S. and Cora. Mr. Smith was an officer in the Mormon war, and was wounded in the neck at the battle of Nauvoo; he also served with distinction in the late war, enlisting in Co. G, 16th 111. Vol. Inf , in 1861, of which Co. he was made Captain; he was soon afterward commissioned Colonel; he took part in the battles of New Madrid, Island No. 10, Tiptonville, Corinth, the bombardment of Fort Pillow and others, and was in reserve at Stone River. His regiment was ordered to Northwestern Missouri to protect the transportation line, where it remained during 1861-'2. The Colonel became disabled by the bursting of a torpedo, and left the command when at Atlanta, Ga., but joined it again in about three months and remained in the service until the close of the war. He was breveted Brigadier General. He is now farming and raising stock, residing on sec. 27, this tp. P. O., Hamilton.

Samuel Steele (deceased), one of the pioneers of this county, was a native of Hillsborough county, X. H., born Sept. 1, 1796. He was reared in liis native State, educated in a New Hampshire academy, and in after years followed school-teaching to a considerable extent. He came to this county in 1830, when but few settlements were made; he was a soldier of the band of "rangers" during the Black Hawk war.

He was quite active in the expulsion of the Mormons, maintained the right of executive power, and aided in carrying it out against those unchristianized, troublesome people. He was Justice ot the Peace for 2S years, and also Assessor for several terms. Dec. 25, 1832, he married Jane Cochran. He wae a farmer and lived in peace with all his neighbors. He died Nov. 30, 1861; his wife is yet living, at a very advanced age.

George Torher was born in Germany, May 16, 1822, and is a son of John and Sophia Torber. He was educated in the high school at Farchin, Mechlenburgh, Germany; came to New York in 1847, where he engaged in the manufacture of pianos for four years; then went to Louisville, Ky., where he remained until 1856, when he removed to Tennessee. In 1860 he emigrated to Ohio, locating in Toledo in 1861. He came to this count)' in 1878, and engaged in the furniture and undertaker's business in Hamilton, in company with Chas. Dregeer. They also deal in the Palace organ, which is a very fine instrument, both in finish and in quality of tone.

Mr. Torber was married, in 1852, to Miss Margaret Kachelman, by whom he has had 9 children: of these, 4 are living, viz., Augusta, Emma, George and Edward.

Albert Urton, son of Burr and Mary Urton, of Prairie tp., was born Sept. 12, 1856, in Ohio. His parents brought him to Peoria county. 111., in 1856 or 1857, where they remained until 1866, then removed to this county. Our subject was married, Jan. 7, 1880, to Miss Emma J. Benson, daughter of AVm. Benson, of Mendon, Adams county, 111. Mr. Urton is a farmer and resides on section 35, Montebello tp., on a very beautiful and fertile tract of land. His future prospects are bright, for his energy and diligence will crown him with success.

A. Vanae7vnan, farmer, etc., sec. 22; P.O., Hamilton, 111.; was born in New York, March 24, 1823; is a son of Abram and Christina Vanaerman. He received but an ordinai'y education; came to this county in the fall of 1854, and has since resided within its limits. In 1861 he enlisted as a soldier in Co. A, 1st Reg. Iowa Cavalry (an independent regiment); participated in the following skirmishes: Prairie Grove, Boonville, and Bice Mertra; at the last named place he was shot through the wrist, which disabled him, and he returned home. Aug. 6, 1864, having served three years. He was married. May 2, 1846, to Susan Wardwell.by whomhe has had 4 children; viz., Geo. M., Chas. H.,Wm. B. and Eanson D.

He came to this county in 1871 and has since resided here. He was married, Dec. 1, 1870, to Mary A. Buchanan, and their 2 children are Mary E. and Flora B.

The following is a list of the Supervisors, Clerks, Assessors and Collectors that nave served in this township since its organization, with the years in which their respective terms began.