IowaJones/Biographies/B-Bel

B. O. Babcock–J. H. Bacher

B. O. Babcock
Born May 1, 1835

B. O. BABCOCK, Sheriff of Jones Co., Anamosa; is a native of Chenango Co., N.Y., and was born May 1, 1835; he grew up to manhood in that State, and learned the trade of blacksmith in Cortland Co.; in 1856, he came to Iowa and located in Bradford, Chickasaw Co., and, in 1856, he came to Jones Co. and located at Castle Grove; in 1859, he removed to Monticello and engaged in blacksmithing. He was elected Sheriff of Jones Co. in the fall of 1876, and was re-elected in 1878; he held the office of Town Collector when the railroad tax was collected, and he furnished a bond for $60,000. While living in Chickasaw Co. he was united in marriage, January 11, 1858, to Miss Lydia A. Farnham, a native of Cayuga Co., N.Y.; she came to Iowa in 1857; they have three daughters—Minnie E., Jennie A. and Floy; they have lost two little boys.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 649.

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Cottrill Babcock
Born January 52, 1816

COTTRILL BABCOCK, farmer, Wyoming Twp., Sec. 35; P.O. Wyoming; born January 52, 1816, in Renssclaer Co., N.Y.; in 1859, he came to Jones Co. He owns eighty-three acres of land. Married Martha L. Armstrong in 1838; she was born in 1822, in Rensselaer Co., N.Y.; died in 1861; have six children—Edgar, C. H., E. M., Romine E., Herbert C. and Alice. Second marriage to Mrs. Robinson in 1864; she was born in Chenango Co., N.Y. Edgar enlisted in 1862, in Co. K; 24th I.V.I.; served about two years; was discharged on account of physical disability Republican. M.E. Church.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 598.

E. M. Babcock
Born March 6, 1852

The mercantile interests of Wyoming find a worthy representative in E. M. Babcock, proprietor of a drug and jewelry store of that city. His birth occurred in New York on the 6th of March, 1852, his parents being Cottrell and Martha L. (Armstrong) Babcock, who were likewise natives of the Empire state. The first representatives of the Babcock family in this country came from England in 1640 and took up their abode in Massachusetts but subsequently removed to New York. Cottrell Babcock, the father of our subject, was an agriculturist by occupation and in 1858 came west to Jones county, Iowa, purchasing a farm in the eastern part of Wyoming township. There he successfully carried on his agricultural interests until 1884, when he put aside the active work of the fields and lived retired in Wyoming until called to his final rest in 1889 at the age of sixty-seven years. He was a well known and highly respected citizen of the community and an exemplary member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which be was deeply and helpfully interested. His wife had passed away in the year 1863. Their union was blessed with five sons and two daughters, as follows: Charles H.; E. M., of this review; Edward R.; Herbert C.; Mrs. Alice Calahan; and two who died in infancy.

E. M. Babcock, who was a little lad of six years when he came to this county with his parents, pursued his education in the country schools and also in the public schools of Wyoming. Subsequently he gave his father the benefit of his services in the cultivation of the home farm for two years and in 1878 came to Wyoming establishing himself in the drug business. Afterward he opened a jewelry store and has since built up an extensive business in this line, now enjoying a large and remunerative patronage. In 1900, in association with Peter Jansen, he installed the Independent Telephone System in Wyoming, being connected therewith until 1908, when he sold out his interest.

In 1879 Mr. Babcock was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Wherry, who was born in Ohio, her parents being David and Mary Ann (Bratton) Wherry, natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania respectively. Mrs. Babcock, who was one of a family of five sons and five daughters, was but two years of age when brought to this county by her parents. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Babcock have been born two children: Irma A., now the wife of Wayne Pringle, of Galesburg, Illinois; and Kenneth E.

Politically Mr. Babcock is a stalwart advocate of the republican party and, though he does not desire the honors and emoluments of office, has been called to serve the public in various capacities. He acted as mayor of Wyoming for three years and has been a member of the council for thirteen or fourteen years and on the school board for six years, ever discharging his official duties in a most prompt and efficient manner. He belongs to the United Presbyterian church and to the Masonic fraternity, being now past master of Keystone Lodge, A.F.&A.M., of Wyoming. The period of his residence in Jones county covers more than a half century and he is widely recognized as one of its most prosperous, worthy and representative citizens.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 107.

Perry O. Babcock
Born 1 May 1835

PERRY O. BABCOCK occupies the important position of Sheriff of Jones County, to which office he was elected on the Republican ticket in the fall of 1875. Mr. Babcock is a native of New York, having been born in Chenango County, May 1, 1835. He is the son of Harry Babcock, also born in the Empire State, claiming Otsego County as his native place. the paternal grandfather of our subject, Jonathan Babcock by name, was born in one of the New England States, and served as a patriot in the War of the Revolution.

Mrs. Joanna (Hill) Babcock, the mother of our subject, was also born in Otsego County, N.Y., and was the daughter of William Hill, a carpenter by trade. Perry O.,k of this sketch, was the fourth in order of birth of the parental family of eight children, including five sons and three daughters, only three of whom are now living. three sons served in the late war, two enlisting in a New York regiment, on of whom was killed in 1863.

The original of this sketch passed the first sixteen years of his life in his native county, being trained to farm pursuits, and attending the district school. He then apprenticed himself to learn the blacksmith's trade in Cortland County, and after mastering the business, in the fall of 1856, came to this state, residing for three years in Chickasaw County.

In 1859 Perry O. Babcock made his advent into Jones County, where he carried on his trade for some five years. He then established himself in the livery business, being the proprietor of a first-class stable, and having a good trade until the fall of 1875. He was then elected Sheriff of the county, holding the office continuously for six years. At the expiration of that time he again opened up a livery stable and while thus engaged was appointed Postmaster of Monticello, during Arthurs, administration.

Upon resigning his position as Postmaster, Mr. Babcock resumed blacksmithing, and was well known as an expert in that line throughout this section. Again, in 1893, however, he received the election as Sheriff on the Republican ticket, and is still the incumbent of the responsible position, fulfilling every detail in a most satisfactory and highly commendable manner.

July 11, 1859, our subject was married to Miss Lydia A. Farnum, of Chickasaw County, this state, and the daughter of Samuel A. Farnum. Mrs Babcock was born in New York State, and by her union has become the mother of three children. Minnie, who married F. W. Buxton, is living in Wheatland, this state; Jennie A. is the wife of W. F. Rohn, and makes her home in Monticello, and Floy H. is at home with her parents. Mr. Babcock is a member of Monticello Lodge No. 173, F.& A.M., belongs to the chapter in that place, No. 42, R.A. M., also Trinity Commandery No. 16, K.T. He has been the incumbent of office of Town Collector, and furnished a bond for $60,000. Mr. Babcock is a shrewd official and is valued in his community for his good citizenship and those traits of character that mark him as an upright man.

Portrait and Biographical Record of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton Counties, Iowa, Chicago: Chapman Pub. Co., 1894, pages 364-365. Submitted by Sandy

Isabella Bacher
Born 1825

ISABELLA BACHER, farmer, Wayne Twp., Sec. 33; P.O. Amber; born in Allentown, Lehigh Co., Penn., in 1825; came to Jones Co. April 9, 1870. Her husband, Mr. Amos Bacher, was a native of Pennsylvania also; lie died in 1861; they were married in 1844; have seven children living—William, Mary, Frances, John, George, Annie and Charles; the last-named lives at home; at present is at the school at Fulton, Ill. Mrs. Bacher owns eighty acres; she is a member of the Presbyterian Church in Anamosa; her boys are Republicans.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 621.

John H. Bacher
Born February 19, 1858

JOHN H. BACHER, of the firm of J. H. Bacher & Co., dealers in drugs, medicines, books and stationery; is a native of Allentown, Lehigh Co., Penn., and was born February 19, 1858; he grew up and attended school there, and completed his education at Muhlenburg College and graduated in 1869; the following year, he came to Iowa; located in Jones Co., and, in 1874, he engaged in the drug business, and has built up a good trade. He has held the office of Town Clerk. On the 1st of May, 1879, he was united in marriage to Miss Amelia Gibson, a native of Jones Co., Iowa, and daughter of John Gibson, of this city.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 660.