Chris & Julie Petersen's Genealogy

Andrew Jackson Graybill

Male 1842 - 1922  (79 years)


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  • Name Andrew Jackson Graybill 
    Born 29 Dec 1842  Quincy, Adams, Illinois, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Died 19 Aug 1922  Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie, Iowa, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Buried 22 Aug 1922  Graybill/Spears Cemetery, Neola, Harrison, Iowa, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I3558  Petersen-de Lanskoy
    Last Modified 27 May 2021 

    Father Simeon Peter Graybill,   b. 26 Mar 1816, Bloomfield Township, Jackson, Ohio, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 27 Jun 1889, Weston, Pottawattamie, Iowa, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 73 years) 
    Mother Amanda Hill,   b. 1814, Bloomfield Township, Jackson, Ohio, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 21 Feb 1848, near Quincy, Adams, Illinois, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 34 years) 
    Married 16 Mar 1837  , Jackson, Ohio, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F257  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • RESEARCH_NOTES:
      1. Reviewed LDS Ancestral File and Rootsweb World Connect Oct 2003.

      2. Censuses:
      1850 US: District 21, Pottawattamie, Iowa, p. 128b, dwelling and family 1020:
      Michael Graybel, 63, labour, NC.
      Polly, 58, NC. [Wife]
      Cimiel, 34, M, OH. [Son; should be Simeon.]
      Michael, 22, OH. [Son]
      Elizabeth, 17, OH. [Daughter]
      Sidney, 14, OH. [Son]
      Almeda, 14, OH. [Grandchild through David.]
      Maridith, 12, OH. [Grandchild through David.]
      David, 7, IL. [Grandchild through David.]
      Amanda, 4, IL. [Grandchild through David.]
      William, 10, IL. [Grandchild through Simeon.]
      Andrew, 8, IL. [Grandchild through Simeon.]
      Aaron, 5, IL. [Grandchild through Simeon.]
      Cathern Stoker, 77, NC. [Most likely Catherine Eller, Polly's mother; census was taken 11 Nov 1850.]

      1851 Iowa State: Pottawattamie County. FHL film 1022203. The entire state was counted but only Pottawattamie listed everyone by name in the household and their ages; other counties only listed the head of the household and a numerical count without names of the various ages by sex in the household. No date is given when the census was taken but it was certified in Dec. 1851; however, the other counties show a Sep 1851 date which also appears more likely for Pottawattamie as well in light of ages given some children with known birthdays in October. Census return:
      Pugh: Hannah 76, Elizabeth 22, Martha 66. Also in household are Grabill: Simeon P. 34, William A. 10, Andrew J. 8, Aaron L. 5. [Note that the following related families are in this census and very close neighbors: Simeon P. Graybill, Michael/Polly Graybill with Polly's mother Catherine Eller Stoker, Eller/Margaret Stoker, Jacob/Catherine Stoker, Philip/Catherine Gatrost, David/Barbara Stoker, Edward/Sarah Davis, and William/Almira Stoker. Other relatives in same county but separated by several pages of census include the following families: Thomas/Hannah Pilling whose daughter Hannah, later marries William Lenore Graybill, Levi/Patience Graybill, John W./Sarah Stoker, Hannah Ford whose son Martin later marries Zibiah M. Stoker, and John/Sarah Smith. Also note that James Welker and Ann Pugh also show up in this census - James is the son of James Welker, Sr. and Elizabeth Stoker; Ann is probably related to these Pughs.]

      1856 Iowa: (From Ancestry.com) Kane, Pottawattamie, Iowa, p. 21 of 63, 130/131:
      Simeon Graybill, 38, 8 years in Iowa, OH, farmer.
      Wm., 15, 8, IL.
      Andrew, 12, 8, IL.
      Aaron, 10, 8, IL.

      1860 US: Council Bluffs Post Office, Kane Township, Pottawattamie, Iowa, p. 362, dwelling 470, family 413, living next door to George W. and Hannah Graybill:
      Simeon P. Graybill, 44, farmer, $1500 real estate, $1000 personal property, OH.
      William, 19, farmer, IL.
      Andrew, 17, farm hand, IL.
      Aaron, 14, IL.

      1880 US: Washington, Harrison, Iowa, p. 12 of 12, 12 Jul 1880, 104/109:
      A. J. Graybill, 37, IL OH OH, farmer.
      Mary L., 23, wife, IA PA PA.
      Lucella B., 1M, IA IL IA.
      Henry Bell, 21, IA IA IA, farm laborer.

      1895 Iowa: Washington, Harrison, IA:
      Andrew Graybill, 52, IL.
      Mary L., 38, Decatur Iowa.
      Lucella, 14, Harrison Co. IA.
      Zenas H., 12, Harrison Co. IA.
      Alva, 9, Harrison Co. IA.
      Mary M., 7, Harrison Co. IA.
      Lester D., 2, Harrison Co. IA.

      1900 US: Washington, Harrison, Iowa, p. 14 of 25, 6 Jun 1900, 143/146:
      Jackson Graybill, 57, Dec. 1842, IL OH OH, md. 22 years, farmer.
      Mary L., wife, 43, Aug 1856, md. 22 years, 6 children with 5 living, IA PA PA.
      Zenos H., son, 18, Feb 1882, IA IL IA.
      Alva, son, 16, Apr 1884, IA IL IA.
      Mary M., dau., 12, Oct 1887, IA IL IA.
      Lester D., son, 8, Dec 1891, IA IL IA.

      1910 US: District 87, Washington, Harrison, Iowa, p. 13 of 24, 26 Apr 1910, 152/152:
      Andrew J. Graybill, 67, md. once for 32 years, IL OH OH, farmer.
      Mary, wife, 54, md. once for 32 years, IA PA PA.
      Lester, son, 17, IA IL IA, farm laborer.

      1915 Iowa: Yorkshire P.O., Washington, Harrison, Iowa, p. 237 of 750, individual card only and may be part of larger family:
      A.J. Graybill, farmer, 72, IL OH OH, Latter Day Saint, married.

      1920 US: District 162, Council Bluffs Ward 6, Pottawattamie, Iowa, p. 20 of 35, 216 32nd St., 239/239:
      Andrew J. Graybill, 77, IL OH OH
      Mae L., wife, 63, IA OH OH

      3. Mentioned in Orson H. Stoker's biography per the following two sources: www.rootsweb.com/~iaharris/ and FHL book 977.747-H2n: "History of Harrison County, Iowa," 1891, pp. 542, 543: "Orson H. Stoker, a farmer and stockraiser of section 32, Washington Township, came to Harrison County in the spring of 1863. He came in with William Spears, from Pottawattamie County, Messrs. Stoker, Spears, William A., and A. J. Graybill, had bought three hundred and twenty acres of land in a body in company." [See notes for Eller Stoker in this database for extensive biography of William Spears. William marries Lavina Stoker, dau. of Eller and Margaret (Judd) Stoker. He also appears to be brother of George Stoker, who marries a sister of Lavina, and Agnes Spears who marries William A. Graybill, the brother of Andrew Jackson Graybill.]

      4. Two sources: www.rootsweb.com/~iaharris/ and FHL book 977.747-H2n: "History of Harrison County, Iowa," 1891, p. 669: "Andrew J. Graybill, a farmer and stockraiser, on section 32 of Washington Township, came to Harrison County in the spring of 1865, and lived with his brother, William A. Graybill, until April, 1878, when he built on the place he now occupies; this structure was a frame house 14x18 feet in which he lived until 1884, and then built an addition 12x14 feet. His barn is 32x36 feet, with twenty-foot posts, and was erected about 1885. He was one of the joint owners of the half section of land purchased by his brother, William A., William Spears and O. H. Stoker, and in the division our subject got seventy-five acres, to which he has added from time to time, until he now has three hundred and five acres, all of which is well improved, and adapted to stock raising, and upon which he usually keeps seventy-five head of cattle. Our subject was born in Adams County, Ill., December 29, 1842, and in 1848 his parents removed to Pottawattamie County, Iowa, where he remained until the autumn of 1864, at which time he drove an ox-team, across the plains, to Denver, Col.; and in the spring of 1866, located in Harrison County, as above related having farmed a year previous in Pottawattamie County. Another important event in the life of Mr. Graybill occurred April 1, 1878, upon which day he was united in marriage to Miss Mary L. Miller, the daughter of Abram and Sophronia A. Miller. She was born at Decatur, Iowa, in 1856. Mr. and Mrs. Graybill are the parents of five children - Elmer A., deceased, Lucella B., Zenos H., Alva, and Mary M. Politically, our subject is identified with the Democratic party, and in religious matters is a believer in the Latter Day Saints' faith. During his quarter of a century's residence in this county, Mr. Graybill has been an untiring worker, honest and upright in all his dealings, and stands today among the representative men of his portion of the county, and is in the possession of an excellent farm home."

      5. Per FHL film 934944 "History of Harrison Co., Iowa," 1915, pp. 373, 374, mentions four related parties [William Spears is related to Agnes Spears who married William A. Graybill; Orson Stoker is son of Eller Stoker]: "Washington Township. This is the extreme southeastern sub-division of Harrison county. It was constituted in 1872, and name for the 'father of his country,' George Washington. It comprises congressional township number 76, range 42. It is south of Cass township and Shelby county; west of Shelby county; north of Pottawattamie county, and east of Union township... The township, in 1885, had a population of 593; the federal census of 1890 gave it as having 1,222 including Persia and Yorkshire... The first man to come to this township for the purpose of making a permanent settlement was Hugh Walker. He arrived in 1849, settling at the beautiful grove, which was given his name by the pioneers. [Walker's Grove]... Orson H. Stoker, of section 32, came in December, 1863, from Pottawattamie county. It was in January, 1864, when he purchased land in this township, but he went away and remained until 1868. He bought a half section of land, which made his home farm, and later he owned, in all 662 acres of excellent land in Harrison county. Another who came in from Pottawattamie county in 1864 was William Spears. He located at Walker's grove, in section 32. In the eighties he removed to a place near Neola. William A. Graybill, of section 32, came to this county in 1864. Andrew J. Graybill, of section 32, came in 1865 and lived with his brother until 1878, when he purchased in section 32..."

      6. Spears family relations are mentioned in the book "The Howard Leytham Stoker Von Dollen Family Histories," FHL 929.273 H833a, by Doris Lewis, 2017 So. 80th Ave., Omaha, Nebraska, 68124, pp. 107+, has the following biographies of the children of Eller and Margaret (Judd) Stoker:
      Orson Hyde Stoker: "Orson... grew up on the family farm in Garner Township. In 1863, when 20 years old, he bought government land at $7.00 an acre in Harrison County, Washington Township, section 32. Andrew Graybill, William Graybill, William Spears and Orson bought 320 acres in one body and helped one another clear the land. In 1867, he built a log house where he brought his new bride, Betty Oman, the following January. The oldest five children were born in this log house on Mosquito Creek, and Jess commented later it had quite a number of cracks, requiring one to shake the snow off of the quilts in the morning if it had snowed in the night. In 1879, Orson built the big family home just west of the cabin. The road at this time ran east and west and the house stood east of the present Highway 64 and across the road from William Darrington's home now..."
      Lavina Stoker: "Lavina was the first known white child born in Pottawattamie County. Her Mormon parents, Margaret and Eller Stoker, left Nauvoo with the migration of Mormons in the spring of 1846. She was born and reared in the log cabin just east of the Bluffs, leaving home when she married William Spears. William bought and started to clear land in Harrison Co., in 1863, along with Lavina's older brother and two Graybill cousins. William and Lavina had a log house just south of the Harrison county line in Pottawattamie County and lived there for many years before building their bigger house to the south... This old log cabin was near the conjunction of Interstate 80N and 80, north of Neola. When Minden Township was formed in 1877, William Spears was one of the three judges appointed." [Eleven children listed with a complete downline.]
      Margaret Calpurnia Stoker: Calpurnia married at 17, as did her older sister, Lavina. George Spears was a brother to William Spears; which was not unusual on the frontier, for sisters of one family to marry brothers from another. George was named after his father, George Spears, Sr., who came from Scotland, married a girl name Sarah Churchfield in Pennsylvania, moved to Illinois in 1839. While in Illinois the family became members of the Latter Day Saint Church and came to Florence, Nebraska, with the exodus from Nauvoo in 1846. Calpurnia and George raised Byron Stoker, son of Michael Stoker, after the death of his mother. George Spears was born in Pennsylvania." [Four children are listed and a very partial downline.]

      7. FHL book 929.273 P684pn: "Graybill/Stoker/Eller/Smith/Koons/Pitt Connections," by Norman E. 'Gene' Pitt, 1996, pp. 34-38, note that this book has a very detailed downline of the children of this couple:
      "Andrew Jackson Graybill, b. 29 Dec 1842, Quincy, Adams Co., IL; d. 19 Aug 1922, Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie Co., IA; bur. Yorkshire, IA; md. 1 Apr 1878, Harrison Co., IA to Mary Lois Miller. She was born 12 Aug 1856, Yorkshire, IA; d. 19 Jul 1940. She was the d/o Abraham Miller and Sophronia Jane Champlin. Andrew made his home with his paternal grandparents, Michael and Polly Graybill. In the spring of 1866, he came to Harrison Co., IA and bought 75 acres. This land was heavily covered with timber, and he began fencing it in with the old fashioned rail fence, stakes and riders. He cut timber and erected a frame house. He made extensive improvements on all his farm property and increased his holdings to 580 acres of land in Harrison and Pottawattamie counties, IA. At one time, he was a heavy cattle feeder and made a specialty of Polled-Durham and Shorthorn breeds. In 1865, he drove an oxen team to Denver, CO and considered that one of the memorable events in his life. He was one of the four family members who jointly bought land in 1865 in Washington Twp., Harrison Co., IA. The other three were his brother William, his cousin Orson Stoker and his friend William Spears. In 1868, he married and built a house and barn on his share of the land and there raised his family. Their children were Elmer, Lucella 'Lucy' Bertena, Zenos Herbert, Alva James, Mary Melissa and Lester Dow."

      8. FHL film 702: "Journal of John Stoker, b. 1817; Journal starts November 1, 1869." John was the son of David Stoker and Barbara Graybill. The first 35 pages detail his mission taken from Utah to Virginia and Tennessee through Council Bluffs, Iowa, which I have summarized and included with his notes in this database. Pp. 36-227, the balance of John's journal, are genealogical notations of family. Many pages are blank. Besides family, the journal also notes many other unrelated Stokers who were probably gleaned from books and other sources. It appears as if maybe his son David may have taken over the book later. Many entries are repetitive at different times. Pertinent data for this family or individual is quoted verbatim as follows on pages:
      109: Simion Peter Graybill, born Mar. 25, 1813, died Oct 27, 1889. Amanda Hill. Children:
      Aaron Lenoer Graybill, born Oct 30, 1845, Ill., Adams Co., killed in the army near Atlanta, Georgia, 1864.
      Andrew Jackson Graybill, Dec. 29, 1842, Adams Co., Ill.
      179: Simeon Peter Graybill, Amanda Hill, children;
      Wm. Amlicy Graybill, b. July 28, 1840, Adams Co., Ill.
      Aaron Lenoer Graybill, b. Oct. 30, 1845, Adams Co., Ill, killed in the war at Atlanta, Georgia, 1864.
      Andrew Jackson Graybill, b. Dec. 29, 1842, Adams Co., Ill.
      184: Simeon Peter Graybill, son of Michael and Polly Stoker was born March 25th, 1815, State of Ohio, Jackson County, Bloomfield Township. Died 27th June 1889.
      Wm. Amliez Graybill, son of Simeon Peter Graybill and Amanda Hill was born July 29th, 1840, State of Illinois, Adams County.
      Aaron Lenoir Graybill, son of Simeon Peter Graybill and Amanda Hill was born October 30th, 1845, State of Illinois, Adams County. Killed in the Army near Atlanta, Georgia, in 1864.
      Andrew Jackson Graybill, son of Simeon Peter Graybill and Amanda Hill was born Dec. 29th, 1842, State of Illinois, Adams County."

      9. Source: 1915 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 898 accessed 13 Dec 2008 on the Internet at http://iagenweb.org/harrison/bio1915/1915bio12.htm:
      "Lester D. Graybill. It is a well-attested maxim that the greatness of a community or state lies not in the machinery of government or even in its institutions, but rather in the sterling qualities of the individual citizen, in his capacity for high and unselfish efforts and his devotion to the public welfare. In these particulars, he, whose name appears at the head of this review, has conferred honor and dignity upon his locality and, as an elemental part of its history, it is important that there should be recorded a resume of his career. With the object in view of noting his connection with the advancement of one of the most flourishing and progressive sections of the commonwealth as well as his splendid personal attainments. Lester D. Graybill, farmer and stockman, of Washington township, Harrison County, Iowa, was born on December 20, 1892, in Washington township, on the farm where he now lives. He is the son of Andrew and Mary (Miller) Graybill, the former born on December 29, 1842, in Adams county, Illinois. Andrew Graybill was the son of Simeon and Amanda (Hill) Graybill, the former born in 1816, in Ohio. He came to Iowa in 1848 and farmed in Pottawattamie county all his life. He died on June 27, 1889. His wife was born in 1819 in Ohio, and died in 1848. Simeon Graybill was twice married, his second wife being Mrs. Frances (Graham) Downs. Three Children: Rachel, deceased; William; and Andrew, the father of Lester D., were born to the first union. Aaron, a fourth Child, died during the Civil War. There were six children born to the second marriage, three of whom are deceased. Andrew Graybill made his home with his grandparents on his father's side of the family. They were Michael and Polly (Stocker) Graybill, natives of Pennsylvania. Andrew Graybill freighted over the plains in the early days from Bellevue, Iowa, to Denver, Colorado, using oxen for his trips. In the spring of 1866, he came to Harrison county, Iowa, where he bought 75 acres of land. This farm was heavily covered with timber and Mr. Graybill began fencing it with the old-fashioned rail fence, stakes, and riders, some things that are not seen at this day and age in Harrison County, Iowa. He cut timber, erected a frame house, which still stands, used for implements, etc., a very rare sight in those days. Andrew Graybill made extensive improvements on all of his farm property and now owns 580 acres of land in Harrison and Pottawattamie Counties. Forty acres of this land is covered with natural timber. At one time, he was a heavy cattle feeder and made a specialty of Polled Durham and Shorthorn breeds. He has since retired from farm life. Andrew Graybill was married in 1878 to Mary Miller, who was born in 1857, in Decatur county, Iowa, and who is the daughter of Abraham and Sophronia (Champlain) Miller, both natives of Pennsylvania and now deceased. Lester D. Graybill attended the schools of Washington township and the Yorkshire village schools. He was reared on the farm where he lies and has always worked for his father. He is now engaged in extensive farming and the operation of the home place. Lester D. Graybill is unmarried and is not a member of any lodge. He is, however, a devoted member of the Church of Latter Day Saints and is an ardent Democrat. He deserves to rank as one of the rising young farmers of Harrison county. His friends and neighbors are convinced that sooner or later he will make a distinguished mark in his chosen profession."
      BIRTH:
      1. Per biography cited above. Pitt book quoted above adds the town of Quincy to Adams Co., IL.

      MARRIAGE:
      1. Per biography cited above: "Another important event in the life of Mr. Graybill occurred April 1, 1878, upon which day he was united in marriage to Miss Mary L. Miller, the daughter of Abram and Sophronia A. Miller. She was born at Decatur, Iowa, in 1856." The Pitt book quoted above concurs on date and gives location as Harrison Co., IA.

      BURIAL:
      1. Per tombstone photo at website www.rootsweb.com/~iaharris/cemetery/graybill.htm "Andrew J., Dec 29, 1842-Aug. 19, 1922." Site also notes he was married April 1, 1878 at Pott. Co., IA and wife is Mary Lois Miller who is also buried with him (Aug. 12, 1856-July 20, 1940)." Burial date from LDS Ancestral File. Pitt book quoted above gives her death date as 19 Jul 1940.

      SOURCES_MISC:
      1. PAF file sent 3 Jul 2003 by John P. Fisher, a descendant of Henry Fisher .

      2. The book "The Howard Leytham Stoker Von Dollen Family Histories," FHL 929.273 H833a, by Doris Lewis, 2017 So. 80th Ave., Omaha, Nebraska, 68124, pp. 90-91.