Dallas County Archives – Page 2 of 2

Biography of Christian M. Badger of Colfax Township, Iowa

Past and Present of Dallas County Title Page

More than a century ago George Washington said that “Farming is the most useful as well as the most honorable occupation of man,” and this truth has been verified throughout all ages. It is a matter of history that agriculture is the basis of the wealth of different countries yielding a greater revenue than mining and commercial interests combined. The great agricultural states claim in their citizenship many men of genuine worth and excellent business ability whose labors contribute to the upbuilding of large commonwealths. To this class in Iowa belongs Christian M. Badger, who now follows farming on section … Read more

Biography of Jabez Ashmore of Perry, Iowa

Jabez Ashmore, conducting an extensive and profitable plumbing and heating business at Perry, belongs to that class of men who, recognizing the fact that success is the reward of persistent, earnest labor, are putting forth strenuous effort to achieve prosperity. Such men constitute the real element in a city’s upbuilding and progress. Mr. Ashmore is a native of Trenton, New Jersey, born June 11, 1863, and was one of the nine children of John M. and Mary (Kersey) Ashmore. The father’s birth occurred in Trenton, New Jersey, in 1841 and he still lives in that city. The mother, however, born … Read more

Biography of Leo Arthaud of Lincoln Township, Iowa

Leo Arthaud is one of the most prominent and enterprising farmers of Lincoln township. He owns a very fine far of one hundred and twenty acres, situated on section 5, and here he is engaged in general agricultural pursuits and in raising stock, making a specialty of pure blooded Poland China hogs. He was born in Ontario, Canada, September 8, 1845, a son of Emile Arthaud, who was born in France and came as a young man to America, settling in Ontario, Canada, where he was married to Miss Susanna Ebersoll, who was likewise a native of France. The father … Read more

Biography of George W. Armfield of Redfield, Iowa

George W. Armfield, who is engaged in the agricultural implement, grain and coal business in Redfield, was born in Wayne county, Indiana, January 26, 1856, a son of John H. and Mahala (Britton) Armfield. The father was born in Wayne county, Indiana, on September 22, 1835, and his early environments were similar to those of other boys of that period and locality. The largely undeveloped condition of the country necessitated much labor on the farm and gave opportunity for only a little schooling in the primitive educational institutions which existed at that time. At an early age Mr. Armfield was … Read more

Biography of John Anderson of Perry, Iowa

John Anderson, who is now living retired in Perry, was at one time a leading landowner of Dallas county. His birth occurred in county Longford, Ireland, in 1830, his parents being James and Mary (Merto) Anderson, who were also natives of the same county in which they spent their entire lives. The son John was reared and educated on the Emerald isle. He was an only child and he remained in Ireland until 1855, when he came to America. He had heard favorable reports concerning the opportunities and business advantages of the new world and in hope of bettering his … Read more

Biography of J. H. Anders of Sugar Grove Township, Iowa

Almost thirty years have come and gone since J. H. Anders arrived in Dallas county and for a considerable period he followed farming in Sugar Grove township, where he still owns two hundred and forty acres of land in the old home place. He also has a tract of two acres in Minburn, where he makes his home and is one of the respected, worthy and venerable citizens of the village, now in his eightieth year. He was born in Highland county, Ohio, on the 8th of December, 1827, and was a son of George Anders, a native of Virginia, … Read more

Biography of A. M. Allen of Walnut Township, Iowa

A. M. Allen, for forty-one years a resident of Polk county, and for four years of Dallas county, is living on sections 12 and 13, Walnut township. He is an active, energetic and practical farmer and stock-raiser, who owns and controls two hundred and forty acres of land. He was brought to Iowa in 1867, when a little lad of less than ten years, his birth having occurred in Green county, Wisconsin, November 7, 1849. His father, Levi C. Allen, was born in Canada, and the grandfather was a native of New York. The latter served as a soldier in … Read more

Biography of Nathaniel Allard of Lincoln Township, Iowa

Nathaniel Allard is the proprietor of the Walnut Grove Stock Farm, which embraces four hundred acres of well improved land situated near Perry, in Lincoln township, and dates his residence in this county from the year 1871. Mr. Allard was born in Morgan county, Ohio, July 29, 1845, a son of Daniel and Susanna (Swope) Allard, both of whom were likewise natives of the Buckeye state. From Ohio Mr. Allard removed to Henry county, Illinois, where he opened up and developed a farm and reared his family. He lost his first wife, after which he was married a second time … Read more

Biography of I. N. Aldrich of Walnut Township, Iowa

A valuable property of six hundred acres is in possession of I. N. Aldrich. It is located on sections 24 and 25, Walnut township, and is a well improved place, having all the accessories and conveniences of a model farm of the twentieth century. In its conduct Mr. Aldrich displays excellent business ability and he derives his income not only from the large crops which he annually produces but also from his stock-raising interests. Forty-four years have come and gone since he arrived in this county, being at that time a young man of about twenty years. He was born … Read more

Biography of Edward R. Aiken, M. D. of Perry, Iowa

Dr. Edward R. Aiken, engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Perry, is a native son of New England, his birth having occurred in Townsend, Vermont, July 5, 1845. His grandfather was Peter Aiken, a major of the Revolutionary war, and his ancestors came from Londonderry, Ireland, to the new world in 1722. His parents were Henry L. and Elizabeth (Robins) Aiken, both natives of Vermont, born in 1801 and in 1809 respectively. The father was a graduate of the Middlebury College of Vermont and was a prominent, able and distinguished citizen of his locality, who for eight … Read more

S. S. Dilenbeck of Perry, Iowa

S. S. Dilenbeck, a well known banker and real-estate dealer of Perry, Iowa, was born in Jefferson county, New York, April 6, 1845. He was a son of Abram and Barbara (Baum) Dilenbeck, both natives of New York. They passed away in Henry county, Illinois. While living in New York Abram Dilenbeck was engaged in the milling business. He removed to Henry county, Illinois, in 1854, when that country was very wild and the deer roamed in large herds over the prairies. The family were of limited means but by industry and thrift they were enabled to purchase one hundred … Read more

John M. Dawson of Colfax township, Iowa

John M. Dawson is a successful farmer living on section 14, Colfax township. He displays excellent business qualities, is resolute and determined, active and energetic, and carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. He is now the owner of two hundred and forty acres of rich and valuable land, constituting one of the fine farms of his part of the county, and so widely and favorably is he known that no history of this locality would be complete without mention of his life. Mr. Dawson is a native son of the middle west, his birth having occurred in Milo, … Read more

Biography of William Brown of Perry, Iowa

On the 2d of February, 1907, there occurred an event which was the occasion of deep sorrow in the village of Perry as well as the surrounding districts, for on that date William Brown, who had been an honored and respected citizen of the county for thirty-two years, departed this life. Mr. Brown had for many years been engaged in farming and gardening on a well improved tract of land adjoining the limits of Perry, having located thereon in 1875, and he was therefore widely and favorably known in this district. He was born near Morgantown, in Monongahela county, West … Read more

Biography of Mrs. Sarah Britton of Washington, Iowa

Mrs. Sarah Britton was born in Bureau county, Illinois, in 1853. She was a daughter of William and Philena Whipple, the father a native of Rhode Island and the mother a native of Indiana. This worthy couple, who settled in Illinois at a very early day, have long since passed away. To their union were born five children, three of whom are now living; John, who is in California; Hattie, the wife of B. Andrews, who is a resident of Missouri; and Mrs. Britton, the subject of this sketch. Her educational advantages as a girl were limited, because it was … Read more

Iowa State Death Record Indexes, 1917-1939

The State Historical Society of Iowa is in the process of making more of these records available online. Currently they have placed online death records for 87 counties with various dates for all of them which fall between 1917 and 1939.