HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY, IOWA
FROM ITS EARLIEST SETTLEMENT TO l909
BY Samuel Gillespie and James E. Steele
BIOGRAPHICAL
FRED M. STAPLES.
On the list of wide-awake, progressive business men of Spencer the name of Fred M. Staples has figured since 1901, at which time he became proprietor of a hardware and plumbing establishment. He had previously had wide experience and thorough training in commercial lines and brought to his work in Spencer the qualifications of a successful business man who knows that close application and unremitting energy are the salient features in success. He started upon the journey of life in Marquette county, Wisconsin, his natal day being March 30, 1866. His father, William S. Staples, was a son of the Rev. Platt R. Staples, a Congregational minister, who was born in New York. His life was devoted to the work of the church and in preaching the gospel his influence was of no restricted order. He was married four times. The grandmother of our subject was in her maidenhood a Miss Sperry and of this marriage there were born two children, William S. and Mattie, the latter the wife of Horace Gove.
William S. Staples in early manhood became a clerk in a store in Kilbourn City, Wisconsin, but put aside the pursuits of business life to aid his country in the Civil war, joining Company K of the Forty-second Regiment of Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He was a private until the close of hostilities, when with a creditable military record he returned to Wisconsin. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Frances Mason, was a native of Connecticut, but in her early girlhood her parents removed westward to Wisconsin, settling at Briggsville, where her father conducted a hotel. He died well advanced in years, while his wife passed away in middle life. They had but two children, Charles P. Mason and Mrs. Frances Staples. The latter is now a resident of Whitehall, Trempealeau county, Wisconsin. Her first husband died in 1869, leaving three children: Fred M., of this review; Clifford D., who resides in St. Paul Minnesota; and Marcia T., of Washington, D. C. After losing her first husband Mrs. Staples became the wife of J. Augustine and unto them were born several children, of whom three are still living: Bessie, Frank and Clarence.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for Fred M. Staples in his boyhood and youth. He was reared in Adams county, Wisconsin, near Kilbourn City, and was only three years of age at the time of his father's death. He was taken care of by different friends until he was past four years old, and in the district schools obtained his elementary education, which was supplemented by a high school course. Subsequently he went to South Dakota and, locating at Carthage, there worked by the month at various pursuits. He afterward spent two years, 1889 and 1890, in a general store in Minnesota, after which he returned to South Dakota and engaged in buying grain in Canastota. He also dealt in implements as a side issue and in 1894 he further extended
the scope of his business interests by opening a hardware store in connection with the implement business. There he carried on mercantile interests until 1901, when he came to Spencer and entered into partnership with C. H. Cure as owner of a hardware store. A year later he bought out his partner and has since continued the business alone. From time to time he has enlarged his stock, which is now extensive and constitutes the basis of a profitable and constantly increasing business.
On the 4th of June, 1892, Mr. Staples was married to Miss Jennie A. Gunning, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John W. Gunning and a native of Darien, Wisconsin. They have three children: Robert Sperry, Mildred Ina and Ruth Elizabeth. Mr. Staples belongs to Evening Shade Lodge, No. 312, A. F. & A. M., and to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, while at the polls he endorses the republican party and its candidates. He does not seek office, however, for he prefers to give his undivided attention to his business affairs and his labors are attended with a measure of success that indicates his excellent business ability and executive force, his strong purpose and laudable ambition. He had no assistance at the outset of his career but realizing that labor constitutes the key that will unlock the portal of prosperity, he has never hesitated to apply himself persistently to his work and thereby has gained recognition as one of the prosperous and prominent merchants of Spencer.
FRANK A. SOUIRE.
Frank A. Squire is one of the native and prosperous farmers of Riverton township, living on section 6, and on an excellent farm of one hundred and twenty acres, which pays tribute to the care and labor bestowed upon it. Forty- four years have come and gone since he arrived in Iowa, at which time he took up his abode in Mitchell county. He became one of the pioneer settlers of Clay county in 1872. At that date comparatively little had been done in the way of developing the county and bringing it to its present state of progress and improvement. His birth occurred in Waterloo, Wisconsin, February 29, 1858, so that from youthful days he has lived in Iowa and throughout all the years has borne his share in the work of development here. His father, John B. Squire, a native of New York, was born in Onondaga county February 23, 1834, and in 1843 removed to Wisconsin in company with his father. Austin Squire. In the Badger state he was reared to manhood and after attaining his majority was married there to Miss Harriet Vanderpool, a daughter of A. Vanderpool, one of the first settlers of Jefferson county. There was only one one-horse team in the county at the time of his arrival and marked trees indicated the trail through the forest. Following his marriage John B. Squire and his bride began their domestic life on a farm in Jefferson county, where they lived for some years and. during that time, two children were born unto them. In 1865 they again became pioneer settlers, this time establishing their home in Mitchell county, Iowa, where they resided for seven years. In 1872 they removed to Clay county, where Mr. Squire secured a homestead claim of eighty acres. Not a furrow had been turned
nor an improvement made upon the place, but soon the track of the shining plow was seen across the fields and in the furrow was dropped the seed that in due time was to bring forth a rich harvest. Later he erected a commodious and comfortable residence, building new barns, and altogether made a home, having one of the attractive farm properties of the locality. There he died in the year 1901, while his wife survived him until the 8th of October, 1908. The county thus lost two of its worthv pioneer settlers, who had taken an active part in the early development and progress of this part of the state.
Frank A. Squire arrived in Clay county during his youthful days and assisted his father in breaking the sod and tilling the fields. In the course of time he took charge of the home farm and carried on the place for a considerable period. His education was acquired in the common schools and reading, experience and observation added to his knowledge, making him a well-informed man. His life has been one of intense and well directed activity, devoted entirely to general agricultural pursuits and, in the control of his business affairs, he has shown keen sagacity and marked enterprise.
On the 7th of October, 1885, in Summit township, Mr. Squire was married to Miss Dora Searles, who was born in Oregon, Wisconsin, and reared and educated there. She engaged in teaching school for twenty-five years in Clay county, being thus identified with the schools both before and after her marriage. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Squire has been born a daughter, Josie M., who is now a student of the Spencer high school.
In his political views Mr. Squire is an earnest republican and keeps well- informed on the questions and issues of the day. He has supported every presidential nominee of the party since reaching his majority. He has been a resident of the state forty-three years and for thirty-six years has lived on the farm on section 6, Riverton township, now his home. His place of one hundred and twenty acres is a well developed property and its carefully tilled fields reward his labor by abundant harvests. He has seen the railroad built through the county and the work of transformation carried forward until the district today bears little resemblance to the region to which the Squire family came so long ago. In all the work of improvement Mr. Squire has borne his full share and the fact that many of his stanch friends are those who have known him from his youth is an indication that his life has ever been an upright and honorable one.
J. W. LEMASTER.
J. W. Lemaster, an agriculturist of Clay township, has since 1870 resided upon the farm which is now his home, having in that year entered the land from the government. He was born in Johnson county, Kentucky, April 9, 1845, a son of Joseph and Ellen (Wheeler) Lemaster. The parents were also natives of the same county, where they spent their entire lives. That they were representatives of old American families is indicated in the fact that among their relatives were those who served in the battle of King's Mountain in the Revolutionary war. The Wheeler family was founded in Kentucky at an early epoch in the his-
tory of that state, the father of Mrs. Ellen Lemaster having been the first permanent settler on the Big Sandy river. Joseph Lemaster, reared in the county of his nativity, afterward became a prominent factor in the life of his community because of the extent of his business interests and activities. Much of his life was devoted to agricultural pursuits and merchandising. Unto him and his wife were born nine children: Shephen, Fannie, Mary, Isaac, Katherine, John and William, all now deceased; J. W., of this review; and Daniel, who resides on the old homestead in Kentucky.
During his youthful days J. W. Lemaster made an interesting discovery, while chopping down a beech tree. After felling the tree, which was of great age, he examined the bark and found cut deeply into the tree the words '"Daniel Boone, 1783." From the growth which had come up around the letters it could be readily seen that the name had been there for many years and although the records do not state that Daniel Boone ever visited Johnson county, it is nevertheless probable that the great hunter cut the name in the tree himself. The portion of the bark containing the inscription was cut from the remainder and is said to be in the possession of some family in that section of the state.
J. W. Lemaster acquired his education in a select school of Kentucky and remained at home until twenty-one years of age. He then took up the profession of teaching, which he followed until his removal to Iowa. He made his way to Cedar Rapids and was engaged in farming in that locality until 1870, when he came to Clay county and homesteaded a claim of eighty acres on section No. 30, Clay township. Here he has since resided and his life of well directed activity is manifest in the present fine appearance of his farm. Not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made upon it when he took possession, but his arduous labor year by year has converted it into rich fields that yield substantial harvests.
In 1877 Mr. Lemaster was united in marriage to Miss Sarah French, a native of Jones county, Iowa, and unto them have been born two sons: Allan J., who is principal of the commercial department of a business college in Sheldon, Iowa; and Eldin R., who resides with his parents. Mr. Lemaster gives his political allegiance to the republican party and keeps well informed concerning the vital questions and issues of the day. His fellow townsmen have called him to a number of local offices and he has manifested his loyal citizenship in the faithful discharge of his duties. He is numbered among the valued citizens of Clay county, having for almost forty years contributed to its agricultural development, while at all times his influence and aid are given on the side of general progress and improvement.
MICHAEL FELL.
Dominated by a spirit of energy and determination that permits him to brook no obstacles that can be overcome by persistent efifort, Michael Fell has won for himself a creditable place in business circles and is now identified with the grain trade and other commercial interests of Everly. He dates his residence in the county since March, 1886, while since 1867 he has made his home in Iowa, locating first in Keokuk county.
Picture of MICHAEL FELL
Mr. Fell is a native of Germany, his birth having occurred in Prussia, January 18, i860. His father, Mathias Fell, was also a native of the same province and there passed his boyhood and youth. He was married in Prussia to Miss Margaret Fritz, and came to the new world in 1867, being one of many who left Germany after the overthrow of the constitutional party in 1866. Making his way into the interior of the country, he settled first in Keokuk county, Iowa, where he purchased a tract of land and developed a farm upon which he reared his family. His last days were passed there and his death occurred August 13, 1897. He had for almost twenty years survived his wife, who died in November, 1878.
Michael Fell, whose name introduces this review, was a little lad of seven summers when the family emigrated to the new world, so that he was largely reared in Keokuk county. He had but limited educational privileges but his training at farm labor was not meager, for from an early age he assisted in the development of the home place, giving his father valuable aid as his years and experience increased. After attaining his majority he followed farming in Keokuk county on his own account for three years. Wishing to establish a home of his own. on the 4th of November, 1885, he secured a companion and helpmate for life's journey in his marriage to Miss Clara Fowler, a native of Harper, Iowa. She was well educated and became a teacher, in which connection she did excellent work, imparting readily and clearly to others the knowledge that she had acquired. In 1886 they removed to Clay county and Mr. Fell purchased two hundred and forty acres of land in Lone Tree township. It was entirely destitute of improvements but he possessed determination and energy and resolutely undertook the task of converting the raw prairie into productive fields. Turning the first furrows, he soon planted his crops and in course of time gathered abundant harvests. For nine years he lived upon that place and in connection with the tilling of the soil he also successfully engaged in raising stock. In the spring of 1895 he rented his farm and removed to Everly, where he began dealing in live stock, continuing the business for two years. He also engaged in the farm insurance business and in 1904 he entered the grain trade, carrying on his operations in that line in connection with the writing of farm insurance. Here he has erected a good residence and also an office building on Main street, which is also occupied at the present time by the town council,, being used as a town hall. Since coming to Everly he has figured as one of its enterprising citizens, his labors constituting a valuable element in the growth and development of this part of the county.
Politically Mr. Fell was for sixteen years identified with the republican party and then severing his connection therewith, he joined the ranks of the democracy. While on the farm he was elected justice of the peace and has now filled that position for twenty years, his decisions winning him golden opinions from all sorts of people. His judgments are strictly fair and impartial and in many cases over which he has presided his decisions have almost uniformly been upheld and an appeal was never taken. He has also been called upon to perform many marriage ceremonies in his official capacity. As a member of the town council he has done much to further the interests of Everly along lines of substantial development and for the past twelve years he has likewise served on the
school board. He is now secretary of the school board and is serving as mayor of Everly, in which connection he is giving a business-like administration, standing loyally for needed reform and progress.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Fell was blessed with four children: Jennie, who was formerly a teacher in Everly and is now a student in the State Normal School at Cedar Falls; Annie, who is attending the same school; Sylva; and Fred W. They also lost four children: Maggie, who died when about five months old; Eva, who died at the age of four and a half years; Alberta, who passed away at the age of six months; and one who died unnamed. Mrs. Fell and the children are members of the Christian church and are much interested in its work. Mr. Fell is a member of Everly Lodge of Masons and the Royal Arch chapter of Spencer. He is also connected with the Odd Fellows at Everly, has filled all of the chairs in the organization here and is a past grand. Mr. Fell likewise belongs to the Modern Woodmen Camp and at all times is in harmony with the principles of these societies, which are based upon mutual helpfulness and brotherly kindness. As a business man he has an unassailable record, for throughout his entire life he has made steady and substantial progress, never taking advantage of the necessities of another in a business transaction, while at all times he has borne an unsullied reputation for commercial probity. He belongs to that class of representative American men who in promoting individual success have also contributed to the general prosperity. He is widely and favorably known throughout the county and his qualities well fit him for leadership in political, business and social life.
GEORGE W. WRIGHT.
George W. Wright, widely and favorably known in Spencer, where he has lived for twenty-eight years, has retired from active business cares, although for a long period he was the owner of farming property in Clay county, which he leased, deriving therefrom a good rental. A native of Massachusetts, his birth occurred in the city of Lowell, November 30, 1845, his parents being Warren and Sarah (Farwell) Wright, who were likewise natives of Massachusetts. Their family numbered two sons and a daughter, George W., Susan A., the wife of John Gobel, and Frank. The father was a farmer by occupation and in 1852 came to the west, settling in De Kalb county, Illinois, where he engaged in general agricultural pursuits. In 1881 he removed to Iowa and purchased railroad land in Clay county, becoming the owner of a quarter section in Riverton and a half section in Freeman township. He employed men to break and cultivate the land while he made his home in Spencer, his death occurring in this city in 1883, when he was seventy-two years of age. His wife survived him for some years and passed away at the age of eighty-one years, in the faith of the Baptist church of which she was long a devoted and consistent member.
George W. Wright was only six years of age when brought by his family to the Mississippi valley, and upon the home farm in De Kalb county, Illinois, he was reared, while the district schools afforded him his educational privileges. In
the months of summer he worked in the fields and thus gained practical knowledge of the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. He was eighteen years of age when, in May, 1864, he responded to the country's call for troops and with the boys in blue went to the front as a member of Company F, One Hundred and Thirty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which he served as a private for about a year, being mustered out in May, 1865.
Some time after the war was over Mr. Wright removed to Kansas, securing a homestead claim in Cherokee county, where he resided for about fourteen months, until the fall of 1879, when he came to Clay county, Iowa. Being pleased with this district and its future prospects, he returned here and resided permanently in 1880 and invested in one hundred and sixty acres of railroad land in Riverton township which he broke, and then rented the farm, continuing to lease it until 1907, when he sold that property. He has made his home in Spencer for twenty-eight years and throughout this period has enjoyed the warm regard of those who know him, for he has proven himself a public spirited citizen and one whose efforts in behalf of the general good have been far-reaching and effective. He served as city marshal for five and a half years and was also constable for five years. He filled the office of deputy sheriff for two years under P, W. Madden, and in these different positions has been loyal to the trust reposed in him and to the best interests of the community at large.
Pleasantly situated in his home life, Mr. Wright was married May 29, 1869, to Miss Rose Price, a daughter of Avery and Mary Price. Their only child, Cora E. Wright, became the wife of J. W. Melville, and died November 29, 1907, leaving, three children, George, Lee and Jesse. Mr. Wright has been a member of the Odd Fellows society for thirty-six years and his membership is now in Spencer Lodge. He also belongs to Annett Post, G. A. R., and has been a loyal adherent of the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. With substantial investments to relieve him of the necessity of labor, he is now living retired in Spencer and in the commvmity enjoys the warm regard and sincere friendship of many with whom he has been brought in contact.
JOHN B. LEWIS.
John B. Lewis is now successfully conducting business as a dealer in popcorn at Spencer. He is well known in Clay county, where he has filled several official positions, serving for ten years as county sheriff, his reelection being an indication of his fearlessness and efficiency in the discharge of his duties. His birth occurred in the little rock-ribbed country of Wales, on the 12th of May, 1847, his parents, Thomas and EHzabeth (Annett) Lewis, being also natives of that country. The paternal grandfather always remained a resident of Wales, but the maternal grandfather, John Annett, came to America and settled at Newton, Massachusetts, where he died well advanced in years.
Thomas Lewis became a miner in his native country and was killed there in a mine in 1852. His wife survived him, and soon after her husband's death brought her family of children to the new world, settling at Galena, Illinois,
where they were living when William and Henry Lewis enlisted for service in the Civil war. The latter died in 1862, while the former was killed in the battle of Atlanta in 1864. In September, 1864, the mother, accompanied by the subject of this review started for Iowa with an ox team. They made a location near Waverly, Bremer county, where they resided upon a rented farm until 1877. In that county the mother married again, becoming the wife of Thomas Brown. She died April 5, 1881, at the age of seventy-four years, in the faith of the Methodist church, to which both of her husbands also belonged. There were only three sons by her first marriage and, as stated, the first two gave their lives in defense of their country at the time of the Civil war.
John B. Lewis was but five years of age at the time of his father's death, and the same year witnessed the emigration of the family to America. He remained in Galena, Illinois, until 1864, when, at the age of seventeen years, he accompanied his mother to Bremer county, Iowa, and there cultivated a rented farm until 1877. The latter year witnessed his removal to Clay county, at which time he took up a homestead of eighty acres in what was then Spencer township, but is now Sioux township. The farm was located about six miles east of the city of Spencer, and there he carried on general agricultural pursuits for two years, after which he took up his abode in the county seat, and was there appointed night watchman, acting in that capacity for two years. He next received appointment to the position of city marshal and served for two years. In 1883 he was made baggageman at the Milwaukee depot, where he served for five years, and on the expiration of that period was appointed deputy sheriff under P. W. Madden, thus serving until April, 1892, or for a period of four years. In the following November he was elected to the office of sheriff, and on the 15th of that month entered upon the duties of the position, in which he was continued by reelection until January, 1902. He discharged his duties without fear or favor, his course awakening the commendation of all law-abiding citizens and creating fear in the hearts of those who did not hold themselves amenable to law. After his retirement from the office of sheriff he was appointed chief dcor-keeper of the house of representatives of the twenty-ninth general assembly, and served during three sessions. He afterward established a real estate office in Spencer, continuing in the business until 1907, when he bought a pop-corn engine and stand and is now enjoying a good sale.
On the 30th of November, 1872, Mr. Lewis was married to Miss Chloe A. Kinyon, a daughter of Sylvester and Lucy (Sturtevant) Kinyon. The family now numbers three sons and two daughters. George O., the eldest, is a farmer and also conducts a dairy business in Spencer. He married Kate Schorb, and they have three children, Charles, Ruth and Blanche. William H. Lewis, the second son, is a printer, now acting as foreman of the Campbell & Russell office in DesMoines. He married Iva Hardin and they have two children, Madge and Franklin. Cora M. is the wife of A. F. Miner, of Spencer, and they have six sons, Howard, John P., Claude C, Earl W., Donald E. and Kennith M. Frank E. Lewis married Elva Ruthven, and they have one child. Hattie E.. who completes the family, is the wife of John M. Freeburg. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and he belongs to the Odd Fellows society and the Knights of Pythias fraternity. He has always
given earnest support to the republican party and does all in his power to promote its growth and insure its success. From an early age he has been dependent upon his own resources and whatever success and whatever prosperity he has attained is attributable to his persistent and honorable efifort. He made a most excellent record as a county official, no incumbent in the office of sheriff having done better work as a custodian of the public peace.
WILLIAM H. SIMINGTON.
William H. Simington, who is proprietor of a restaurant and grocery business in Dickens, Freeman township, was born in Canada, near Hamilton, Ontario, on June 21, 1851, a son of Samuel and Mary Ann (Worthington) Simington, natives of Ireland. Upon coming to the new world they located in Canada, but came to Genesee county, New York, in 1865, leaving that place in the year 1870 and settling in Freeman township, this county, three miles northeast of Dickens, on a tract of eighty acres. Here they lived for a number of years, and then removed to Spencer, where Mrs. Simington passed away in 1890, her husband still living there at the advanced age of ninety years. The couple were parents of the following children: James; Mary, deceased, who was the wife of Moses McClennel; Letitia, who wedded James Robinson, of Severin Bridge, Canada; Kate, wife of H. B. Page, of Spencer, Iowa; John, of Hill City, Minnesota; Samuel, Jr., of Spencer; and William H., of Dickens. The maternal and paternal grandfathers were both natives of Ireland, the latter having departed this life in Canada at the age of one hundred and seven years, his wife also having attained a great age, the mother of a large family, while the former, a farmer, passed away in his native land in middle age.In Richfield, now Pembroke, Genesee county. New York, William H. Simington was reared and acquired his education, and then learned the jewelry business, which he followed for a number of years, later working as a telegraph operator. In the year 1870 he came to Howard county, Iowa, remaining for two years, when he returned to New York, but came back to Iowa in 1893 and settled in Dickens, Clay county, being employed for three years by a railroad company, at the expiration of which time he established himself in the restaurant and grocery business, and has since met with splendid success.
On April 12, 1870, he wedded Miss Emma Edith Van Buren, daughter of Henry and Sarah (Harmon) Van Buren, and they are parents of five children, namely: Charles Wesley, deceased; Mertie E., wife of John J. Lawler, their children being Louise, Gladys, Celia and Mildred; Carrie B., who died in March, 1907, leaving her husband, James M. Storey, and two children, Naomi and Delbert D., to mourn her loss; Elsie M., wife of Edwin N. Culver, their children being Bessie, Vernon, Roy and Ena; and Adah O., who wedded Lawrence Jones, by whom she had two daughters, Almeda and a baby. Mrs. W. H. Simington was born in Clarendon, Genesee county, New York, also the birthplace of her father, Henry Van Buren, of Holland Dutch descent, her mother having been born in Vermont. To Henry and Sarah Van Buren were born three children, namely; Emma, the wife of W. W. Simington; Ada, the wife of Elias G. Post,
of Buffalo, New York; and Horace, of Crittenden, Erie county, New York. At an early day Mr. Van Buren settled in Conway, Livingston county, Michigan, where he died in 1859, being only thirty-five years old. His wife survived him and later wedded James Peachy, and departed this life in 1886 at the age of sixty-four years. Mrs. Simington's family are noted for longevity. Her paternal grandfather was Rudolphus Van Buren, a native of Holland, who, with his wife, lived to an advanced age and passed away in Michigan, leaving a family of six children. Her maternal grandfather was Isaac Harmon, a native of Vermont, a carpenter by trade, who died in middle life, being survived by his wife, who lived to a great age and had been the mother of a number of children.
Mr. and Mrs. Simington are members of the Congregational church, in which they are active workers. Politically he gives his allegiance to the republican party, the principles of which he believes best adapted to the highest financial interests of the country, and consequently during campaigns he uses his vote and influence toward securing the election of its candidates. He is a conservative and industrious business man and through patience and perseverance, honesty and integrity, he is very successful in his business and is accounted one of the substantial and respected men of the community.
ALBERT W. MILLER.
It is an important public duty and honor to perpetuate as far as possible the memory of an eminent citizen — one who by his blameless and honorable life and distinguished career reflected credit upon his city and state. Through such memorials as this at hand the individual and the character of his services are kept in remembrance and the importance of those services acknowledged. His example therefore becomes an object lesson to those who follow him. The history of Albert W. Miller is indeed one worthy of record, for he stood as a high type of American manhood and chivalry, and always regarded his word given or an engagement made as a sacred obligation. He felt that a man should always use his advantages to the best of his ability, and the years gave substantial proof of his worth in every relation where he was found. He was loyal in his friendships and family duties were to him most sacred. In the paternal line Albert W. Miller is of German lineage. His grandparents were Martin and Susan (Snook) Miller. The former was born in Frederick City, Maryland, and came of a family of German origin. Both he and his wife were well advanced in years when called to their final rest, Mrs. Miller, who survived her husband for some time, being about ninety years of age at her demise. They had a large family, namely: Charlotte, William, George, Martin, Ezra, Louis, Nathan, Simon, Adam, Elizabeth, Susan and Sophia.
Of this family William Miller, the eldest son, was born in Maryland, and after acquiring his education began learning the miller's trade at Eakles Mills, Maryland. Subsequently he conducted a mill of his own at Rohrersville, and continued a resident of his native state until about 1880, when he removed westward to Iowa and purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres three miles
east of Spencer. A few years later he left the farm and removed to Spencer, where he died in August, 1906, at the age of eighty-six years. His wife passed away in 1902 at the age of seventy-four years. She bore the maiden name of Rebecca Clapper, and was also a native of Maryland. Her father, the Rev. John Clapper, was born in that state and became a minister of the United Brethren church. He married a Miss Longman and they had several children, Elizabeth, Leah, Simeon, William, John and George. Unto Mr. and Mrs. William Miller were born a daughter and seven sons: Celia, the wife of Aaron Dovenberger; Albert W., of this review; John; Henry, of Denver, Colorado; Hilrey J., of Lexington, Kentucky; Charles, of Hagerstown, Maryland; Otho, who died at Leeds City, South Dakota; and Louis S., who was killed in a railroad wreck at Everly, Iowa.
There was much in the life record of Albert W. Miller which commended him to the confidence and good will and high regard of those with whom he came in contact, and at his death he left a record that is well worthy of emulation. He was born at Keedysville, Maryland, March 2, 1847, and was there reared to manhood and in its schools acquired his early education, although he afterward had the benefit of instruction in Eastman's Business College of New York, from which he was graduated in due course of time. In seeking a home in the middle west he located at Sioux City, Iowa, but soon afterward removed to Peterson, in Clay county, where he operated a saw mill and flour mill for about a year. In 1870 he removed to Spencer and became interested with Mr. Marcellus in the ownership of a flour mill, being connected with the enterprise until 1873. He then established a private bank in Spencer, which was the first institution of this character in Clay county. He continued as its president until he sold out and started the First National Bank, when he became president of the latter and so continued until his demise. He was a man of strong business qualifications, manifesting keen sagacity in the solution of intricate business problems, and at all times carefully utilizing his opportunities so that no advantages were neglected. He was, moreover, a man of unquestioned business probity, ever mindful of his obligations and in no way overreaching another in a business transaction. Justice and truth were always characteristics of his business life and made his name an honored one.
On the 29th of October, 1872, Mr. Miller wedded Miss Emma LaMar, who was born in Burkittsville, Maryland, a daughter of Captain William B. and Elizabeth Harley) LaMar, who were also natives of Maryland. Her father conducted a steam tannery at Burkittsville, devoting much of his life to that pursuit. He was a son of Thomas and Mary (Willard) LaMar, who were likewise born in Maryland and in that state Thomas LaMar owned and conducted a large plantation. His wife died when past middle life, while he lived to the remarkable old age of more than ninety years. Their children were John, Benoni, William, Mary, Elizabeth, Laura, Ellen and Rebecca. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Miller were Joshua and Elizabeth (Whiteneck) Harley. The former, a native of England, became a merchant and in addition to conducting a store he also owned a large plantation at Burkittsville, Maryland. Both he and his wife reached old age and they reared a family of five sons and four daughters, William, Otho, Thomas, Joshua, Mahlon, Elizabeth, Matilda. Sophia and Eliza.
William LaMar, the father of Mrs. Miller, served as a captain in the Mexican war. He remained an active business man of Burkittsville during the greater part of his life and there passed away in 1872, at the age of sixty-two years. His wife survived him until 1880 and passed away at the age of seventy-three years. They were the parents of eight children, Thomas; Eliza; Lewis, deceased; Marene; Robert, deceased; William; Asa, deceased; and Emma, the wife of our subject.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Miller was blessed with eight children, three of whom died in childhood. Laura became the wife of J. R. Gilbreath, whose father wrote the first history of Clay county. They now reside at Mandan, North Dakota, and they have one son, Victor LaMar. Mrs. Gilbreath is a graduate of the Kee-Marr College at Hagerstown, Maryland. Albert, who is a graduate of Eastman's Business College, is living at home with his mother. Jessie is the wife of Nicholas Leysbeth, consul from Belgium to Germany, and they make their home at Colognie. Mrs. Leysbeth is a graduate of Lake Forest (Illinois) College and by her marriage has become the mother of one son, Louis. Emma, who is a graduate of St. Catherine's College at Davenport, Iowa, is now attending an art school at Chicago. Bessie, who completes the family, is a high school student in Spencer.
The death of the husband and father occurred December 18, 1892, when he had reached the age of forty-five years and nine months. He was reared in the faith of the United Brethren church, but afterward became a charter member of the Congregational church, as did his wife, who yet belongs to that denomination. He served his country as a soldier of the Civil war, becoming a member of Company B in a regiment of Maryland Volunteer Infantry. His political allegiance was given to the republican party, but the honors and emoluments of office had no attraction for him, as he preferred always to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs, and by his intelligently directed effort achieved success that enabled him to leave his family in very comfortable financial circumstances. His prosperity was ever a means to an end. He was never engrossed in money- making to the exclusion of other interests, but he rejoiced that his business advancement permitted him to give his children good opportunities and to minister to the welfare and happiness of his wife. In all things he manifested steadfast purpose and spotless integrity — features to which the splendid civilization of America is indebted — and thus he left the impress of his individuality upon the country in which he lona: resided.
ALBERT O. MILLER.
Albert O. Miller, one of the enterprising and progressive merchants of Dickens, where he is dealing in agricultural implements and coal, was born in St. Lawrence, New York, November 22, 1859, and is a son of Samuel and Experience (Truesdell) Miller, the former a native of the state of New York and the latter of Canada. The Miller family is of Holland-Dutch descent although the grandfather of our subject was a native of the Empire state. The father, Samuel
A. Miller, was a blacksmith by trade and followed that occupation until after the outbreak of the Civil war when he enlisted in Scott's Nine Hundred and lost his life in battle. His wife passed away in 1869 at the age of fifty-one years. One of their sons, Benjamin F. Miller, enlisted with his father and served for three years as a loyal defender of the Union cause. He was but a youth when he entered the army and he died in 1866 at the early age of nineteen years from the effects of his military experience.
Albert O. Miller acquired his preliminary education in the public schools of St. Lawrence county, New York, and subsequently pursued a course in the state normal school. After leaving that institution he engaged in teaching for one term in his native state and in the fall of 1878 came to Clay county. Iowa, locating on the present site of Dickens. In this county he taught eighteen terms of school in six different school districts and proved an able educator, imparting, readily and clearly to others the knowledge that he had acquired. He was thus active in promoting the early intellectual development of his locality. He afterward purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Sioux township and turned his attention to farming, continuing the work of the fields until 1902 when he disposed of his farm and removed to Dickens, where he was employed by the firm of Somers Brothers for a brief period. He afterward removed to the state of Washington where he remained for a year and a half when he returned to Dickens and established his present business as a dealer in agricultural implements and coal. He has succeeded in building up a gratifying trade and now has a liberal patronage which makes his business a profitable one.
On the 30th of March, 1882, Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Bertha I. Stone who was born in Vermont, September 11, 1851, and is a daughter of Horace P. and Abigail V. (Williams) Stone. Her parents were also New England people. Her father was born in Maine and in early life learned the carpenter's trade which he followed in the east. At the time of the Civil war he responded to the country's call for aid, going to the front with the Vermont regiment and doing active and valorous duty in defense of the stars and stripes. During the early girlhood of his daughter, Mrs. Miller, he came to the middle west with his family and homesteaded a tract of land in Sioux township, Clay county, Iowa. With characteristic energy he began the development of a farm, transforming the wild land into rich and fertile fields which he successfully cultivated until about fifteen years ago when he retired 'and removed to Dickens, where his death occurred in June, 1907. His wife, a native of Vermont, is a descendant of Roger Williams, the apostle of freedom of New England days. She still survives her husband and makes her home in Dickens. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Miller have been born four children. Edmund, born May 8, 1885, is now engaged in farming in central Montana near the town of Denton. He married Elizabeth Haulman and they have a daughter, Jessie. Nellie, born September 13, 1890, Arthur, born February 13, 1892, and Jessie, born October 5, 1899, are all at home. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is serving as trustee and in the work of the church they are actively and helpfully interested. Mr. Miller gives his political support to the republican party and is at present officiating as township clerk. In all matters relative to the progress and improvement of the county he is interested
and gives his support to many measures for the public good. As a business man he is thoroughly reliable and his honesty in all business dealings is one of the factors of his substantial success. He possesses, moreover, good business tact and judgment and his industry and perseverance have gained him prominence in the commercial circles of the town.
G. A. GLEASON.
G. A. Gleason, who manifests a spirit of unfaltering determination and unwearied industry in carrying on his farming interests in Logan township, Clay county, is a representative of one of the early families of Iowa and a direct descendant of General Putnam. His parents were Clement and Jane (McDowell) Gleason. His father was a native of the state of Massachusetts, his birth having occurred in Salem. At an early date he located in this state and throughout his life was well known as a farmer and merchant. He was one of the first to take up land in Wapello county, at which time the greater portion of the state was unsettled and unimproved. It was therefore not without strenuous efforts and unfaltering perseverance that the raw land was brought under cultivation. Mr. Gleason belonged to that early generation of men who did not expect to make their way in life without having to overcome difficulties and hardships, and being a man inspired by a firm purpose and an aggressive spirit he soon converted the wild and unproductive prairie into fertile fields from which he reaped generous harvests. In connection with farming he also carried on a general mercantile business and was one of the first to engage in that enterprise in his locality. He was well known throughout the county and in his day did much toward advancing the general improvement of the township in which he spent his life.
G. A. Gleason was born in Agency City, Iowa, June l0, 1848. He acquired his education in the district schools and upon completing his schooling at the age of twenty years he was apprenticed to a cooper and carpenter, with wliom he remained until he learned the trade. He then worked as a journeyman for five years, at the expiration of which time he began contracting and building on his own account, his previous experience well qualifying him for this step. He followed the business in Atlantic, Cass county, and in Coon Rapids, Carroll county, Iowa, and the undertaking proved quite successful. In 1893 he came to this county and has since devoted his time to raising general crops. He has given much attention to his farming by way of making improvements and conducts the occupation upon modern principles, also carefully studying the nature of the soil. He has been successful in so cultivating his crops as to approximate a maximum yield per acre and from year to year has been gradually adding to his prosperity.
In 1867 Mr. Gleason wedded Mary L. Laraway and to this union were born the following named: Clement, an agriculturist of Sioux township; Amanda, the wife of H. A. Smith, residing on a farm in Gilletts Grove township; Fred R., who is manager of the Farmers' Elevator Company at Gilletts Grove; Bessie. the wife of Robert Moore, who follows agricultural pursuits in Logan township;
Among the sons of the fatherland whose industry and sturdy qualities have
added much to the financial worth and civilization of Clay county is D. F.
Lundt, who came to the United States when a boy and at an early age took up
farming, and has since become a substantial agriculturist and stock raiser of
Douglas township, this county. His birth occurred in Holstein, Germany,
February 3, 1859, a son of H B. and Weike (Mattison) Lundt. His father came
to the new world in 1871, locating in Scott county, Iowa, where he remained for
one year and then removed to Grundy county, this state, where he engaged in
agricultural pursuits for eight years, afterward settling in this countv and
purchasing land upon which he lived until he died in 1905. Prior to leaving his
native land he had served as a soldier in two wars with Denmark, and in one
engagement was shot in the hand the marks of the wound remaining with him
until his death. He was well known in this part of the county for his excellent
qualities of character as well as for his industry, and he commanded the respect
of all who knew him. The mother was also a native of Germany, passing away
in Clay county in 1908. The couple reared a family of seven children, namely:
J. F., who has extended agricultural interests in Tama county and who served
in the Iowa state legislature for two terms; C. J., who follows agricultural
pursuits in Fayette, Idaho; J. R., deceased; D. F., of this review; Henry, a well
known farmer of this township; Peter, also engaged in agricultural pursuits and
stock raising here; and Annie, who became the wife of C. Holthouse and resides
on a farm in Peterson township.
The common schools of his native land afforded D. F. Lundt some educational
advantages which he further pursued in the United States, and upon completing
his studies remained under the paternal roof assisting in the duties of
the farm until he was twenty-three years of age. He then engaged in farming
for himself in Tama county, this state, successfully pursuing that vocation in
its various departments until 1901, when he came to this county and located on
section 8 where he has since resided. The strict attention which he has paid to
his business has enabled him to derive good profit from the crops and from time
to time he has added to his lands until he now possesses an excellent farm
containing two hundred acres, located in sections 8 and 17. All the improvements
upon this farm are due to Mr. Lundt's progressive spirit, and aside from
having an elegant residence his farm is also provided with a commodious barn
and other necessary buildings, machinery and appurtenances required to make
farming a successful venture. He raises large quantities of the best hay and
grain and at the same time does an extensive business in breeding, feeding and
shipping stock.
In i88i Mr. Lundt wedded Miss S. Jacobs, a native of Germany, and unto
them were born the following children: Laura, the wife of Edward Stephens,
an agriculturist of this township; Matilda, who is wedded to Hans Peterson,
who operates a large farm here; Frederick, Adolph, Grovcr and Clarence, who
reside at home; and Clara and Adelaide, deceased. His political allegiance Mr.
Lundt gives to the democratic party, and for the past two years has been trustee
of the township. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America of Gladbrook,
Tama county, this state. He attends divine services at the Lutheran
church, of which he is a liberal supporter. As a worthy and upright citizen and
Christian character, he will be remembered by posterity.
Henry Lundt, a brother of D. F. Lundt, was also born in German}y, his
birth occurring October 5, 1862, and he came to the United States with his
parents in 1871. He acquired his education in the common schools of the fatherland
and in Tama county, Iowa. He remained at home with his father until
twenty-eight years of age when he settled in Clay county where he engaged in
farming and general stock raising on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres,
now comprising some of the most fertile and arable land in this township. In
1902 he met with the misfortune of having his buildings destroyed by a cyclone,
but subsequently replaced them with more substantial ones, and now his farm is
in every respest (sic) in first-class shape, and he makes a specialty of stock-raising and
shipping of the best breeds of cattle, hogs and horses.
In 1890 he was united in marriage with Miss Emma Stark and they have
five children, Johnnie, Guy, Ruth, Ruby and Ray, all of whom reside with their
parents. In politics Mr. Lundt does not ally himself with any particular political
party, but, believing that the man who seeks the office should be of greater
consideration than his party ties, he votes for such candidates as he deems best
qualified to subserve the interests of the commonwealth. Like his brother, he
is industrious and enterprising and his straightforward transactions and upright
character win for him the confidence and respect of his neighbors.
E. W. Breidinger, who owns and operates a farm of two hundred acres on
section 18, Riverton township, was born in Union county, Pennsylvania, October
9, 1859, a son of Leonard and Sarah (Trump) Breidinger. He was only eight
years of age when the family removed to Michigan in 1867. His father was a
native of Easton, Pennsylvania, but believing that he would have better opportunity
to secure a good living for his family in the middle west, he made his way to
St. Joseph county, Michigan. There he lived for sixteen years and in 1883 came
to Iowa, his destination being Clay county. While it was comparatively a new
region it gave promise of rapid growth and progress, and he selected a tract of
land in Riverton township which he purchased and located upon. However,
the same year he lost his wife, who passed away on the 11th of June, 1883.
E. W. Breidinger, going to Michigan in his boyhood days, was reared upon
the home farm there, working in the fields through the summer months while
in the winter seasons he attended the common schools and afterward the high
school at White Pigeon. When his education was completed he returned to the
farm and as a young man of twenty-four years came to Iowa with his father and
continued with him on the old homestead in Riverton township until twenty-
eight years of age. He early learned the value of diligence and perseverance as
forceful factors in business life and those qualities have always been important
elements in his success.
On the 17th of April, 1889, Mr. Breidinger was married to Miss Una F.
Kinney, a daughter of N. A. P. and Nancy (Babcock) Kinney, born in Scott,
Cortland county, New York, where her girlhood days were passed and her education
acquired. She is a graduate of Cortland Academy, now known as Homer
Academy and Union School, and of the Cortland State Normal School, and is a
lady of liberal education as well as of natural refinement and culture. She
engaged in teaching in the Empire state and also in Iowa, occupying the responsible
position of assistant principal of the Spencer high school. Mrs. Breidinger's
father, N. A. P. Kinney, was born at Homer, New York, of English descent,
while her mother, now deceased, was born at Scott, the same state. Mr. Kinney
is at present residing in Homer, New York, being a director in the First National
Bank there, having been in his earlier years a well known and respected
agriculturist of that vicinity.
Following his marriage Mr. Breidinger rented his father's place and cultivated
it for a number of years, while in 1895 he purchased his present home,
becoming the owner of two hundred acres on section 18, Riverton township. In
all this broad land there is no soil more productive than this portion of Iowa,
and the energetic farmer might win success here if he would but carefully and
persistently carry on his work. Realizing this fact Mr. Breidinger commenced
to improve his place and the farm now presents an attractive appearance. In its
midst is a substantial dwelling and in 1908 he erected a large barn, giving shelter
to an immense hay crop and to horses and stock as well. The outbuildings are
all kept in a state of good repair as are the fences, and the owner is constantly
putting forth effort along the lines of progress and improvement. He studies the
best methods of tilling the soil, knows what the different crops require and keeps
his fields fertile through the process of rotation. In his pastures and feed lands
are found high grade shorthorned Durham cattle and Chester White hogs, and
his annual sales of stock materially increase his bank account. He is a stockholder
in the Spencer Elevator, also of the Telephone Company, and the community
recognize in him a man of good business ability, whose judgment is
sound and whose enterprise is unfaltering.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Breidinger have been born two children, Harry L., in
high school, and Anna May, at home. Mr. Breidinger has always voted with the
democracy and prefers to do his public service as a private citizen rather than
as an office holder. Twenty-five years have come and gone since he arrived in
the county. They have been to him years of work — earnest, indefatigable work
and he deserves all the credit which is due a man who wins his success by
honorable as well as persistent labor.
The sons of Denmark have made considerable showing in this country in
various occupations, evincing a high rate of business ability and professional
acumen, showing themselves in every particular ready for hard work and equipped
to meet every emergency, thus enabling them to make their way in the new world
and establish themselves in enviable positions in professional and commercial
circles. Among those deserving of notice is Peter Christenson, who for a number
of years has been identified with the agricultural and stock-raising interests of
Clay township, this county. His birth occurred in Denmark on April 20, 1847, a
son of Christian and Anna Peterson, who lived and died in their native land. They
were the parents of the following children: Hans, now deceased; Christina, who
resides in Denmark; Knud, who is an agriculturist of Lincoln township, Clay
county; and Peter, our subject.
In his native land Peter Christenson spent his boyhood and youth, and there
acquired his education in the common schools, but recognizing that there were
few opportunities for a successful career in his own country he decided to seek
his fortune in the new world, and consequently came to the United States in 1869,
locating in Story county, Iowa, where he hired out for one year. At the expiration
of that time he came to this county and took up a claim in Lincoln township,
and after having for a brief period cultivated part of the acreage, he disposed of
the land and came to Clay township, where he bought a small farm. He at once
applied himself to general farming and to stock raising, on a small scale, and met
with such success that he was able to add to his tract of land from year to year
until now he possesses four hundred and eighty acres in this original farm, one
hundred and sixty acres near Royal, and has just moved to an eighty-acre farm in
Clay township. By his unwearied efforts he transformed the crude prairie land of
his first farm into fertile fields, from which he has annually reaped excellent
harvests, and his agricultural success has placed him in his present prosperous
condition. His farms are highly improved, provided with comfortable dwelling houses,
barns, outbuildings, and all conveniences essential to the advantageous pursuit of
farming, and he now has property composed of some of the finest farming land
in the township.
In 1876 Mr. Christenson was united in marriage with Christina Hendricksen,
to which union were born: Amelia, who became the wife of Martin Martinson,
a well known college professor of this state; Mary, wife of Herman Seaman, an
agriculturist of this county; Anson and Rena, twins, Anson operating a large farm
in this township, while Rena is the wife of Christian Olson, who is in the creamery
business at Linn Grove; Arthur; Clarence; and Emma, at home. In politics
Mr. Christenson has always been a stanch adherent of the republican party, to
which he has been loyal since casting his first vote. Among the services which
he has rendered the community is that of trustee, in which office he has served
for several years. His religious convictions are with the Lutheran denomination,
and he is a faithful attendant and liberal supporter of that church. He deserves
great credit for the progress he has made in this country, inasmuch as he was
compelled to start out in the world for himself and make his way, without means
or influence, and with a limited education, depending entirely upon his own
resources. But success followed him at every step, the result of his industry,
patience and perseverance, until now he is numbered among the thrifty farmers
and representative citizens of this county.
Denmark has furnished a valuable class of citizens to the new world. They
have brought with them from the old country the unremitting energy and perseverance
characteristic of that nationality, and in the great majority of cases
have attained success in the management of varied business affairs. To this
class belongs Andrew Anderson, who is now manager of the Farmers' Elevator at
Spencer. He came to America in 1882 when a young man of but twenty-one
years, his birth having occurred in Drechele, Denmark, on the 19th of February,
1861. His father, Rasmus Anderson, was a laborer who lived at Orte, Denmark,
and was a son of Andrew Rasmussen. Rasmus Anderson served as a soldier in
the Danish army in 1864. He wedded Marie Sorensen, also a native of Denmark,
and a daughter of Soren Jule. Both Mr. and Mrs. Anderson were members of
the Lutheran church, and its teachings proved the guiding rule of their
lives. They became parents of nine children, of whom five are now living:
Andrew, of this review; Soren, whose home is in Kenmore, North Dakota; Lars,
living in Denmark; Kary, also of Denmark; and Rasmus, who still remains in
his native land.
On the home farm in Denmark Andrew Anderson spent the days of his
boyhood and youth, and attended the common schools. From time to time he
heard interesting reports concerning America, its business conditions and its
opportunities, and at length these proved to him an irresistible attraction, so that
he bade adieu to friends and native country and in January, 1882, came to the
United States. For seven months he was a resident of Chicago and on the 4th
of September of that year arrived in Spencer, where he was employed in various
ways, his course at all times, however, being characterized by progress. For
over fifteen years he was in the employ of R. Trundale and this long connection
indicated his faithfulness to the interests which he represented. On the
expiration of that period he purchased an elevator which he operated for two years,
and in connection with grain also handled coal and hogs. He then sold out to
the Hunton Elevator Company of McGregor, Iowa, but continued in charge as
manager for two years, and also handled coal and hogs on his own account.
The Hunton Elevator Company then sold out to the Farmers" Elevator Company,
which also purchased Mr. Anderson's business as a dealer in coal and hogs in
1907. He has since acted as manager for the company and in this connection
is doing good service, being thoroughly familiar with the trade and handling a
large amount of business for the company annually.
On the 4th of May, 1883, occurred the marriage of Mr. Anderson to Miss
Anna Dorothy Peterson, a daughter of Jorgen Peterson. There were six children
of that marriage, Emma, Mary, William, Arthur, Clarence and Raymond.
The elder daughter is now the wife of Charles Howe, assistant cashier of the
First National Bank of Spencer, and they have one child, Dorothy. Both Mr.
and Mrs. Anderson hold membership in the Danish Lutheran church, are interested
in its work and do all in their power to promote its influence. Since
becoming a naturalized American citizen Mr. Anderson has voted with the
republican party, believing that its principles are most conducive to good government.
He has now been a resident of America for twenty-seven years and he
never feels that he has any reason to regret his determination to seek his fortune
on this side of the Atlantic, for he has found a good home here, has met with
fair success in his business and has gained many friends whose regard and
companionship make life pleasant for him.
Knud Christensen, a prominent and prosperous agriculturist near Royal,
this county, is one of that sturdy type of Europeans who are doing so much toward
cultivating the lands of the middle and far west. His birth occurred on the Island
of Fynn, Denmark, on November 29, 1850, a son of Christian Peterson, the
variation in the names being due to a prevailing custom of that country by which
the son takes the given name of the father and adopts it as a surname. On the
same island Mr. Peterson was born and there he spent his life in agricultural
pursuits until his death in 1859, the records showing that his people had been
engaged in farming there for above six generations. His mother was Anna
Knudsdaughter, born in Denmark, where she died in 1898, interment taking
place on the Island of Fynn. Mr. Peterson had been married before and had the
following children by his first wife: Marian, who died in her native land; Hans,
who passed away in Spencer, Clay county, Iowa; and Budileete Christina, who
resides in Denmark. To his second wife were born: Peter, who is an agriculturist
of Clay township, this county; and Knud Christensen, the subject of this
review.
Knud Christensen acquired an excellent education in his native land, having
taken a preliminary course of study in the common schools and subsequently a
course of training in the high school. He remained at home with his parents
until he was twenty-one years of age, in the meantime having learned the brick
mason's trade which he followed as a journeyman until 1872, when he set sail for
the United States. His objective point was Chicago, Illinois, which he had heard
offered an excellent opportunity for bricklayers as it was then being rebuilt after
Picture of MR. AND MRS. KNUD CHRISTENSEN
the big fire of 1871. Upon his arrival in that city he looked over the ground
but was not satisfied with the offers made him, and upon receiving intelligence of
the agricultural advantages of Iowa, he came here, settling in Clay county, near
Royal. At that time there was but one house between the place upon which he
located and Spencer. He did not locate permanently until after his marriage,
when he purchased eighty acres of land which he at once improved and put in a
fit state for cultivation. Since taking up the land he has put forth every energy
to reap full benefit from the soil and so great has been his success that his
harvests from year to year have enabled him to accumulate other landed interests
until at the present time he owns three hundred and sixty acres of highly improved
land in Lincoln and Clay townships. In addition to engaging in general farming
he also pays considerable attention to stock raising, dealing only in graded
classes of cattle, sheep and hogs which he ships throughout this and adjoining
states.
In 1878 Mr. Christensen was united in marriage to Miss Maria Christina
Ellison, a native of Zeeland, Denmark, and they have five children, namely:
Charles Lewis, an agriculturist of this township; Peter Albert, who also follows
farming here; Anna Elizabeth, who became the wife of Thomas Hagadorn, an
agriculturist of Lincoln township; and Clara Evalina and John Edward, who
complete the family. Mr. Christensen's political affiliations are with the
republican party to which he has been loyal since casting his first vote, and in the
township he has efficiently served both as trustee and school director. He is a
man of high moral character and being one who does not permit business affairs
to crowd out his religious obligations, always finds time for church work, holding
membership in the Danish Lutheran church, of which he is a liberal supporter.
Mr. Christensen is well known throughout that region, being one of the highly
respected and progressive citizens of Clay county.
A worthy representative of the agricultural interests of Sioux township was
O. A. Weber, whose home farm of three hundred and seventy acres is situated
on sections 1 and 2, while altogether he possessed four hundred and fifty acres.
Iowa long numbered him among her citizens, for he came to the state in 1866
and although he lived in Clay county only since 1892, his circle of friends was
almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance. These friends therefore
mourn his loss, his death having occurred March 14, 1909. He came to the new
world with the strong and sterling characteristics of a Teutonic ancestry. A
native of Germany, he was born in the province of Prussia on the 26th of April,
1855, and came to the new world when a lad of ten years. No delay kept him
in the east, for he at once came to Iowa and for many years thereafter lived
in Clayton county, during which time he received the educational advantages
offered by the common schools. His father, Herman Weber, was likewise a
native of Prussia and there grew to manhood. After reaching adult age he
wooed and won Miss Louisa Moritz, also a native of Germany. He was a
mechanic, possessing considerable natural ability along that line. He learned
and followed the locksmith trade, with which he was connected while still in
Prussia. Before he left his native land four children had been added to the
family, and with his wife and little ones he came to the United States, arriving
in the year 1866. Making his way direct to Iowa his remaining days were
passed in Clayton county, where he purchased land that hitherto had been wild
and undeveloped. He at once resolutely set himself to the task of opening up
a new farm and, though his labor was often difficult and arduous, he persevered
until he became the owner of a tract of valuable land of two hundred and forty
acres. Year after year he plowed and planted and carried on the work of the
farm, remaining there until his life's labors were ended in death. His wife still
survives him and is now living with a son.
In his youthful days O. A. Weber met with the experiences and hardships
incident to establishing a home on the frontier. As his years and strength
increased he aided more and more largely in the farm work, so that broad
practical experience enabled him to profitably carry on farming interests when
he started out in life for himself. He was married in Clayton county in 1880
to Miss Albertina Zieman, who was born in Clayton county but was of German
lineage. His capital was very limited and would not permit of him buying a
place, but he resolved that his labors should benefit himself and therefore he
rented a farm. To this he gave his energies for eleven years, during which
time he carefully saved his earnings, until in 1892 he was enabled to purchase
land in Clay county. Removing to this county he bought one hundred and
sixty acres in Sioux township, located thereon and began the development and
improvement of the property. Later he purchased another farm of one hundred
and sixty acres southeast of Spencer, rented that and afterward sold it. He
then bought some land where he resided at the time of his demise, having three
hundred and seventy acres in his home place, while his holdings of four hundred
and fifty acres made him one of the leading land owners of the locality. The
farm residence is an attractive two-story dwelling built in modern style of
architecture, supplied with all up-to-date equipment and conveniences and tastefully
and comfortably furnished. There are also two large barns on the place and
an orchard of his own planting yields its fruit in season. He fenced the farm
and during the last three years laid six hundred and fifty rods of tiling, so that
the wet soil has been drained and been converted into productive fields. He like-
wise raised and fed stock and the pasture and other feeding grounds have a
large number of high grade animals. He was a stock holder in the Dickens
Creamery and in the Webster Rural Telephone Company. Undaunted enterprise
and willingness to work earnestly and persistently constituted the chief features
in his business development.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Weber were born two sons and three daughters. The
eldest son, William A. Weber, is married and operates a part of his father's
land. Rudolph is also cultivating a part of the old homestead farm. Clara is
the wife of Oliver Stuky and is likewise living on one of her father's farms.
Cora and Jessie are young ladies at home. The parents were reared in the
faith of the Lutheran church. In his political views Mr. Weber was a republican,
served on the school board, but was never an office seeker. He could truly
have been called a self-made man. All that he possessed or enjoyed came to him
as the reward of his labor. He early realized that success is not a matter of
genius, as held by some, but is rather the result of experience and industry. He
therefore learned life's lessons well, made good use of his opportunities and,
through his persistency of purpose, actuated by a laudable ambition, he became
one of the substantial farmers of the county, holding extensive property which
constantly increased in value through his labor and cultivation.
Paul M. Miller, who is acting as delivery agent for the Adams Express
Company and is also assistant at the Minneapolis & St. Louis depot, was identified
with agricultural interests, but some time since retired from active farm
operations. He was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, June 4, 1854, and in
tracing back his ancestry it is found that the family is of German lineage.
George Miller, the grandfather, was born in Pennsylvania and became a farmer
and teamster. Unto him and his wife, both of whom died when past middle
life, were born six children, Paul, Eliza, Mary, Matilda, John and David.
Paul Miller, the father of our subject, was likewise a native of the Keystone
state, and in early manhood became a school teacher, devoting some time to
educational work. He also followed carpentry and subsequently became a
farmer. In 1855 he removed to Benton county, Iowa, and settled near Shellsburg,
where he developed and improved a farm, bringing his land under a high
state of cultivation. He died there in September, 1885, at the age of seventy-
two years, while his wife survived him until 1890 and also passed away, at the
age of seventy-two years. Mrs. Miller bore the maiden name of Catharine Jones.
Her birth occurred in Pennsylvania, her parents being James and Barbara
(Walters) Jones, who were also natives of the Keystone state and lived to a
good old age. Their children were Catharine, John, Alary, George, Morrow,
Phoebe, Emma and Susie. Mr. and Mrs. Paul Miller had a family of twelve
children, nine of whom reached adult age, while six are now living: James J.,
of Waukegan, Illinois; Lucinda M., the wife of William Sutton of Oklahoma;
Hannah M., the widow of Theodore Greenwood of Shellsburg, Iowa; John W.,
also of Shellsburg; Paul M., of this review; and Emma M., wife of N. E. Perry
of Seattle, Washington. The parents were members of the Presbyterian church
and were people of the highest respectability.
Brought to Iowa in his boyhood days, Paul M. Miller was reared in Benton
county upon the home farm. At that time it was a frontier district in which
the work of improvement and progress had scarcely been begun. At the usual
age he was sent as a pupil to the district schools and therein mastered the
common branches of English learning. Through the vacation periods he assisted
in the work of the farm and remained at home until twenty years of age, when
he started out in life for himself, working by the month as a farm hand for the
first year. He believed that he was capable of doing something better, however,
and rented a farm, thus carrying on general agricultural pursuits for ten
years. During that time he carefully saved his earnings, and in 1889 he removed
to Clay county, where he purchased eighty acres of unimproved land in Gillett
Grove township. On this tract he turned the first furrow and as the work of plowing
and planting continued his farm took on the appearance of a well developed
property, and in the course of years yielded abundant harvests. As his financial
resources increased he added to the property until he now owns two hundred
and thirty-four acres of finely improved land He lived there until 1905, when
he rented his farm to his eldest son and removed to Spencer. Indolence and
idleness, however, were totally foreign to his nature and, as he could not be
content without some business interests, he entered the employ of the railroad
company and the Adams Express Company, and to this work now devotes his
energies.
On the 4th of April, 1878, Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss
Martha E. Greenwood, a daughter of Abraham and Caroline S. (Shuey)
Greenwood. Mrs. Miller was born in Carroll county, Maryland, and her parents
were natives of that state. They removed westward to Benton county, Iowa,
about 1867, and were well known farming people in that locality. The father
died in 1896, at the age of seventy-two years, and the mother was also of the
same age when called to her final rest, her death occurring in 1898. In the
family there were fifteen children, of whom the following are now living: Mrs.
Ada B. Baldwin, Mrs. Hannah Parker, Martha E.. Elharian, Mrs. Adeline
Parker, George, Mrs. Maggie Kitzmiller, and Mrs. Leavina Kitzmiller.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Miller has been blessed with four children:
Bernice E., who is the wife of Howard E. King, a resident of Spencer, by whom
she has two children, Harold D. and Victor; Bernard, who is operating the
home farm and married Luella LaRue, by whom he has one son; John, who is
operator at the Minneapolis & St. Louis depot in Spencer; and Paul E., who is
station agent and operator at Badger, Iowa. The last named married Minnie O.
Pinneo and they have two sons, Vernon J. and Donald Pinneo.
Mr. and Mrs. Paul M. Miller are members of the Congregational church,
and are interested in its work and active in its, support. Mr. Miller votes with the
democracy and for three terms has served as trustee of Gillett Giove township.
He well deserves the good American title of a self-made man, for he started out
in life empty-handed and possessed only of a determination to win prosperity
through persistent and honorable effort. Gradually he has advanced toward the
goal of prosperity and is now the owner of an excellent farm property, while
to this he has added the annual income which he derives from his labor.
It is only in rare cases that fortune seems to favor certain individuals and
they gain wealth through inheritance or some lucky chance. The great majority,
however, labor for what they possess, and it is well known that men of strongest
character, who are regarded as most valuable in citizenship and in business
relations, are they who have carved out their own fortunes. It has been through
his energy, perseverance and well directed activity that Thomas D. Griggs has
won a place among the prosperous farmers of Summit township, his home being
on section 34, where he owns three hundred and seventy-six acres of well
improved land. He has lived in Clay county since 1888. He has now passed
the eighty-first milestone on life's journey, for his birth occurred in Utica, New
York, June 21, 1828. His father, Isaac Griggs, was born in Connecticut and
on leaving New England took up his abode in the state of New York. He lived
for a time in Chautauqua county, that state, and was identified with business
interests there. The opportunities of the growing west attracted him. however,
and in 1841 he made his way to Ohio, settling in Trumbull county, where he
carried on manufacturing and mercantile interests. In that locality he reared
his family and spent his last years, being regarded for a long period as one of
the valued citizens of the community, because of the energy and enterprise which
he displayed in the conduct of his business interests.
Thomas D. Griggs was reared to manhood in Trumbull county, Ohio. He
had good school advantages and in early manhood was appointed to the position
of superintendent of the penitentiary, taking charge of that institution under
Governor Medill, while later he was retained in the office by Governor Chase.
He occupied the position three and a half years and was loyal to the trust reposed
in him.
Going to Wisconsin, Mr. Griggs was married in Janesville, Rock county,
on the 28th of December, 1860, to Miss Hannah James, who was born and
reared in that state. Following their marriage they located on a farm in Rock
county, where Mr. Griggs owned one hundred and sixty acres. He further
improved and developed that property and continued to carry on general farming
there for about twenty-eight years, after which he sold out and bought where
he now resides. Coming to Iowa, he settled on section 34, Summit township,
where he invested in a farm of two hundred and twenty-eight acres of land that
was partially improved. This he began to farm and further develop, and as he
prospered he bought more land and at different times has owned a number of
farms, making judicious investments in property and later selling at a good
profit. He now owns a large and valuable tract of land comprising three
hundred and seventy-six acres. Year after year the fields are carefully tilled and
good grades of stock are raised and fed, the sale thereof bringing to him a
substantial financial return.
In 1894 Mr. Griggs was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who on
the 13th of December of that year passed away and was laid to rest in Spencer
cemetery. They were the parents of five children: Cassius J., who is now
engaged in farming in Ward county, North Dakota; Clifford, who is carrying
on the home place; Guy T., who is married and resides at Dickens; Minnie, the
wife of John Scott, of South Dakota; and Grace, the wife of Arthur Little, who
is an engineer on the Milwaukee Railroad, living at Sioux City, Iowa. The son
Clifford, who operates the home farm, was born in Janesville, Wis., and reared
and educated in this county. He was married here on Christmas day of 1902,
to Miss Nellie Wilson, and their children are Audra and Berkley. In his political
views Mr. Griggs is a democrat and while living in Rock county, Wisconsin, he
held several local offices of honor and trust; but political positions have never
had much attraction for him. He is now spending the evening of his life on his
home farm in Summit township, his son Clifford relieving him of the active
work of the fields. His life has always been a busy and useful one and the
qualities of honorable manhood and good citizenship have been his. Today he
receives the respect and veneration which should ever be accorded to one of
advanced years whose life has been worthily passed, but while Mr. Griggs has
reached the eightieth milestone on life's journey he seems much younger in
spirit and interests and converses well upon the general topics and questions of
the day, while he at the same time relates many interesting incidents of the
early days.
The enterprising town of Greenville numbers among its representative citizens
its present postmaster, Frank Sherman, who is also engaged in general
merchandising. He is accomplishing substantial results in his business career
and his industry and determination constitute the basic elements of his prosperity.
He was born in Brookfield township, La Salle county, Illinois, April 7, 1867, and
is a son of William and Elizabeth (Pickett) Sherman, natives of New York and
of England respectively. The Sherman family to which our subject belongs
was undoubtedly founded in the Empire state at an early day, for his grandfather,
William Sherman, was there born. He followed the occupation of farming
there and in that locality reared his family, while to both him and his wife
was allotted a ripe old age. The maternal grandfather was William Pickett,
a native of Dorchestershire, England. In 1844 he came to America, settling in
La Salle county, Illinois, where he followed the occupation of farming. He
married Elizabeth Brett and his life of usefulness and activity covered a period
of eighty-three years ere he passed to the home beyond.
It was through agricultural pursuits that William Sherman provided for his
family. On leaving the east he made his way to Chicago and thence went to
La Salle county, where he secured land and engaged in tilling the soil. He
maried Elizabeth Pickett, who was but a young girl when brought by her parents
from England to the United States. Unto their marriage were born four children:
Sarah, Albert, Frank and David. The mother still survives and is yet
living in La Salle county, but the father passed away there in 1876. Mrs.
Sherman is a member of the Methodist church and a most estimable lady, having
an extended circle of warm friends in the community where she makes her home.
Mr. Sherman was also widely and favorably known there and he, too, belonged
to the Methodist church.
Frank Sherman, spending his boyhood days in his father's home in Streator,
La Salle county, Illinois, attended the district schools and thus gained the
knowledge which has served as the foundation upon which to build his business
progress. After leaving home he spent considerable time in the western states and
in 1893 entered the employ of the Minneapolis & St. Louis Railroad Company,
being thus engaged as carpenter and builder. In 1900 he came to Greenville as
bridge watchman with the Minneapolis & St. Louis Railroad Company, continuing
with that corporation until January 1, 1907. Desirous, however, of engaging
in business for himself, in 1901 he opened a small store here and has since con-
ducted it, although he has greatly enlarged the scope of his activities by increasing
his stock and thus reaching out for a more extensive trade. His store is tastefully
and attractively arranged and his reasonable prices, fair dealing and earnest
desire to please his customers have brought to him a liberal patronage.
On the 21st of March, 1904, occurred the marriage of Mr. Sherman and
Miss Elizabeth Syra, a daughter of Fountain W. and Elizabeth Syra. There
are two children by that marriage, David Fountain and Margaret Leno Sherman.
Mr. Sherman belongs to Greenville Lodge, No. 727, I. O. O. F., and gives his
political support to the republican party. In the spring of 1908 he was appointed
postmaster of Greenville and is now filling the position. There have been no
exciting chapters in his life record, but it is the history of a man who has been
faithful to duty and has worked diligently to achieve advancement. Such men
are the real strength of the nation, for they can always be depended upon in
times of crisis to serve the best interests of their country, and in community
affairs they support those things which are of substantial beneiit to the locality
in which thev reside.
Among the vounger men finding their fortunes in the great west is W. O.
Eckley, who is extensively engaged in general farming and stock-raising in
Logan township, and formerly well known as a livery man and dealer in farm
implements, both of which enterprises he gave up recently in order to devote his
undivided attention to his agricultural interests. He is a man whose aggressive
spirit is enabling him to turn the soil to his advantage, and being possessed of
the strength and vigor of vouth, he mav well look forward to manv a year of
bountiful harvests, which will be the means of leading him along the pathway
■of success and to permanent prosperity. A native son, his birth occurred in
Douglas township, Clay county, December 19, 1877, and he is a son of John L.
and Mary E. (Duboise) Eckley. His father was also a native of Iowa, and
now resides in Barnum, Carlton county, Minnesota. His mother is a native of
New York state.
The boyhood days of W. O. Eckley were spent in Douglas township and
Spencer, where he attended the common schools and remained at his studies until
he had completed his education. Upon leaving school he remained at the home
of his parents until he was twenty-one years of age, when he started out in life
for himself. Being somewhat inspired by the brawny arm of the blacksmith, he
thought he would like to engage in that occupation as his life work, consequently
he secured a place in a blacksmith shop, when, after one year's hard work, he
gave up his desire to follow the occupation and engaged in business at Gillett
Grove. He remained there two years and became connected with a livery business,
which he pursued for a time, and then entered the employ of Charles Gilmore,
for whom he worked until he was united in marriage, and then took up farming
in Herdland township. He followed farming there for a period of three years,
then removed to his present rented farm in this township, and there cultivates a
half section of excellent land. Since his occupancy of this place he has been
meeting with more than ordinary success in producing general crops and in
handling and breeding a high grade of stock, and at the expiration of 1909 he
anticipates having sufficient surplus means with which to rent an additional
quarter section, upon which he will broaden his farming interests and pay more
attention to stock-breeding.
February 2, 1904, he was united in marriage to Miss Florence Carlson, a
daughter of John Carlson, a native of Stockholm, Sweden, who now resides in
Greenwood, Missouri. To this union have been born the following children:
Hazel Esther, who is four years of age, and Harvey John, now in his third year.
The republican party receives Mr. Eckley's support, the principles of which,
upon candid consideration, he has decided contain the secret of the nation's
financial power and permanent prosperity. He attends divine services at the
Methodist church and his excellent qualities of character and enterprising spirit
have given him high standing as a citizen of the community.
Frederick William Hoffman, who follows farming on section 15, Freeman
township, has always been connected with agricultural interests and is today one
of the prosperous farmers of the county, owning and operating three hundred
and thirty-five acres of land. He was born in Ogle county, Illinois, April 15,
1869, and his life displays many of the sterling characteristics of his German
ancestry. His parents, Ferdinand and Sophia (Stuckenburg) Hoffman, were
both natives of Germany, and unto them were born seven children, five of whom
still survive, as follows: Henry, now living in Freeport, Illinois; Louise, the
wife of Martin Miller, of Forreston, Illinois; Ferdinand, who is living near
Adeline, Illinois; Fredericka, the wife of Adam Brewer, of Sheldon, North
Dakota; and Frederick W. Two of the children died in infancy. The father
gave his attention in early life to railroad building. At the age of twenty years
he obtained employment in the construction department of railroad service and
rose to the position of foreman. A thoughtful comparison of the business conditions
of the old world and the new led him to the belief that he might benefit
financially if he came to the new world. Accordingly he left Germany in 1853
and reached New York on the 18th of October, after a prolonged and tedious
voyage of forty-two days. He began life in the new world with a cash capital
of but eight dollars. Having made his way westward into the interior of the
country, he was first employed near Elgin, Illinois, at husking corn, but his
knowledge of railroading soon gained for him a more lucrative position and he
obtained a situation with the Chicago & Northwestern Company, with which he
remained for a few months. In 1854 he turned his attention to farming and
was employed by the month at farm labor for two years, during which time he
carefully saved his earnings in the hope of one day becoming the owner of a
farm. This hope found realization in his purchase of forty acres of wild prairie
land, which he began to cultivate, using a pair of oxen in breaking the sod. He
also had one cow, but no other equipments with which to begin life on his farm.
After a struggle of two years with privations he laid the foundation for a
successful career in Brookville township, Ogie county, after which he found it
less difficult to maintain a financial footing. In fact he began to save money
and purchased forty acres of land on section 32, Maryland township, where he
developed the farm upon which his remaining days were passed. Near the
close of the war he enlisted in defense of the Union and served until hostilities
were brought to an end, being mustered out at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, in
September, 1865, after which he returned to Springfield, Illinois, and was there
honorably discharged. While he willingly gave his aid to his country he also
gladly returned to his home when the government no longer needed his assistance,
and at once resumed his farming interests. Working diligentlv and persistently
as the years passed, he accumulated two hundred and seven acres of
land, which he brought under a high state of cultivation. The farm was pleasantly
located within a quarter of a mile of Adeline, Illinois, and the soil, naturally
rich and productive, responded readily to the care and labor which he bestowed
upon it. There he continued his agricultural pursuits until his death, which
occurred March 20, 1892, when he was sixty-seven years of age. His wife died
in December, 1891. Both were members of the Evangelical Association and
Mr. Hoffman gave his political allegiance to the democracy. In the community
where this couple resided they were widely and favorably known and the father's
example of industry and perseverance was one which may well be followed.
Frederick W. Hoffman spent his youthful days on his father's farm in Ogle
county, Illinois, and was early trained in the work on the fields which he assisted
to cultivate and improve. His education was acquired in the district and graded
schools, but all through the periods of vacation he was busy in the fields, and
remained at home until twenty-one years of age and until his parents' death.
He then started out in business for himself by renting a part of ths old home
place and, when the estate was settled, he sold his interest and removed westward
to Iowa, establishing his home near Dickens. Here he purchased two hundred
and sixty acres of land on which he now lives, but the farm at that time bore
little resemblance to his place at the present day for, as the years have passed, he
has equipped it with substantial modern buildings, has put up good fences and
has secured the latest modern machinery to facilitate work in the fields. By
additional purchase he has also extended the boundaries of his farm until it now
embraces three hundred and thirty-five acres which are devoted to the raising
of such cereals as are best adapted to the soil and climate.
On the 22d of Januar}y, 1896, Mr. Hoffman was married to Miss Sophia
Dorothea Bernhagen, daughter of Michael and Amelia (Hartwig) Bernhagen.
She was born in Clay county, while her parents were natives of Germany, born
near Berlin. Coming to America, they settled in Lake township, Clay county,
where the father engaged in farming, becoming well known as a representative
agriculturist of this community. He died in the spring of 1903, at the age of
sixty-three years, while his widow still survives and yet makes her home on the
old farm. To them were born ten children, of whom six are now living: Bertha,
the wife of Albert Albers; Paulina, the wife of John Hopkins, of Langdon;
Marie Emily; Frederick William; Sophia Dorothea; and Reinhold Ferdinand.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman have been born five children: Ralph Ferdinand,
Agnes Marie, Randall Arnold, Milo Michael and Bertha Louise. Mr.
Hoffman is a democrat in his political views, but the honors and emoluments
of office have no attraction for him. He is a gentleman of broad mind and takes
a calm survev of life, recognizes its purposes and meets its obligations. He is
held in high regard throughout the county and has a circle of friends almost
coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances.
Western Iowa is constantly attracting a class of progressive citizens who
recognize the opportunities offered and utilize them for the advancement of
individual prosperity. Among the number who have come to Clay cornty within
a comparativelv recent period is Emil Sebastian, now living on section 20,
Riverton township. He has made his home within its borders since 1897 and is the
owner of two hundred and forty acres of good land which is devoted both to
stock raising and to general farming.
Mr. Sebastian is a native of Germany. His birth, occurred in Saxony on
the 28th of December, 1858. His father, Mell Sebastian, was also born and
reared in the same country. After arriving at years of maturity he wedded
Ernstine Gerth, a German maiden, and to provide for the expenses of a home
which he had established he followed the carpenter's trade, which he had
previously learned. Several years were devoted to building operations in his native
country, but wages were comparatively low and advancement slow. From time
to time reports reached him concerning the more remunerative wages to be
secured by artisans of the new world, and with the hope of more rapidly attaining
prosperity Mr. Sebastian sailed with his family to the United States in 1860.
The voyage across the Atlantic safely accomplished, he continued on into the
interior of the country and took up his abode in Washington county, Wisconsin,
where he again worked at the carpenter's trade, and when his industry and
careful expenditure had brought him sufficient capital to purchase property he
invested in a farm in that county and made it his home throughout his remaining
days, giving his time and attention to general agricultural pursuits. While he
did not seek to figure prommently in public life, he was a worthy and respected
Citizen of the community, and therefore, when he passed away on the 24th of
March, 1897, his death was the occasion of deep and widespread regret. His
wife survived him a few years and died on the 19th of December, 1902.
In taking up the present history of Emil Sebastian we present to our readers
the life record of one who is widely and favorably known in Clay county,
although his residence here covers a period of but twelve years. He was less
than two years old when brought by his parents to the United States, and was
reared in Wisconsin, spending his youth largely upon the farm which his father
there purchased. The common schools afforded him his educational privileges,
and in early manhood he went to Illinois, securing work as a farm hand in
La Salle county. Ten years were there passed, and on the expiration of that
time he returned to Wisconsin and in that state was married on the 12th of
February, 1882. This important event in his life united him to Miss Hulda
Koutz, a well bred German girl and the daughter of Louis Koutz, who was born
in the fatherland and on coming to the new world located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
He was a wagon-maker by trade and followed that pursuit in Milwaukee,
where he reared his family, his daughter being there educated. Subsequently
he removed to Thiensville, where he conducted a wagon-shop and is
still living. However, he lost his wife, in July, 1905. Following his marriage
Mr. Sebastian took up his abode in La Salle county, Illinois, and for four years
he lived with his family near Peru. The year 1892 witnessed their arrival in
Iowa, at which time they took up their abode in Butler county. There Mr.
Sebastian farmed for five years, and in 1897 he came to Clay county. The previous
year he had visited the county and had purchased two hundred and forty
acres of land, situated on section 20, Riverton township. The following year he
removed to this property and began tilling the soil and improving the place.
The leading features of the farm are new structures, and an air of enterprise
and progress is everywhere noticeable. His home is a pleasant two-story residence,
tastefully furnished. In the rear stands a large barn, with an extensive
loft for hay, while there is capacious stall-space for stock. Corn-cribs and
granaries shelter the cereals which he produces, and wind-pump and waterworks
indicate his progressive spirit. He has set out an orchard and planted a grove
of shade trees, and thus his place is no longer an open prairie, for fine trees now
provide shelter from the hot rays of the summer sun. In his pastures and feed-
lots are found good grades of stock and the farm in all its departments is well
kept.
Mr. and Mrs. Sebastian are the parents of five children: Ida, the wife of
Edward Warren, a business man of Lyndon, Kansas; Louise; Emil W.; Emily,
wife of V. H. McCleary, a farmer of Riverton township; and Arthur, all of
whom are under the parental roof. Mr. Sebastian votes with the republican
party and was elected and is now serving as township trustee. For some years
he was officially connected with the schools. He has always believed in
maintaining a high standard of education and employing good teachers. Both he
and his wife were reared in the German Lutheran faith and have brought up
their children in the same church. Mr. Sebastian belongs to the Ancient Order
of United Workmen. Since he came to Clay county his acquaintance has continually
broadened and those who meet him in business and social relations find
him a man whose friendship is worthy to be cherished and whose business
integrity and enterprise calls for emulation.
Edward A. Landers, who conducts a general merchandise business at Gillett
Grove, Iowa, was born in Madison county, this state, June 26, 1870, a son of
Hiram and Eliza (de Bord) Landers, natives of Indiana and Iowa respectively.
They reared the following children: Edward A., our subject; Mary, wife of
604 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Elmer Allen, of Winterset, Iowa; and Alvin, deceased. Hiram Landers came
from his native state to Iowa about the year 1849, settling in Madison county,
and bought a farm which he improved and put into a superb state for cultivation
and upon which he lived and worked until his death in 1901, his wife having
passed away about 1876. Mr. Landers was a member of the Christian church,
while his wife was actively identified with the Methodist Episcopal denomination.
The paternal grandfather was John Landers, a native of Virginia, who
came to Iowa in 1849, settling in Madison county, where he followed agricultural
pursuits until his death at an advanced age. He reared the following children:
Tira, Felix. Hiram, Eli, Lilah Peffley and Garst. Maurice C. de Bord, the maternal
grandfather, a soldier in the Civil war, was a farmer and a native of Kentucky,
his wife being Mary (McClelland) de Bord. They were among the
early settlers of Madison county, Iowa, where they lived to an advanced age,
having reared a large family.
On the farm in Madison county Edward A. Landers was reared, attending
the district school of that place and the high school at Patterson, and subsequently t
aking a business course in the Capital City Commercial College at Des
Moines. Upon his graduation from that institution he was employed as a clerk
at Gilmore City, and later served in the same capacity at Lake City. In 1891
he came to Clay county and for a period of two years clerked in a store at Webb.
Upon resigning this position he went to Fort Dodge, remaining there until 1905,
when he came to Gillett Grove, clerking for J. H. Zimmerman until the spring
of 1908, when he opened a general store for himself in which he has met with
signal success.
Mr. Landers was married to Miss Minnie Kime, a native of Livingston
county, Illinois, and a daughter of Paul Kime, and they have four children.
Mrs. Landers is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, where she and
her husband attend divine services. He belongs to the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows and politically gives his allegiance to the republican party. He is
an energetic man, of keen busmess discernment and inspired with an ambitious
spirit, and is adding daily to his volume of trade and establishing himself in a
substantial and lucrative enterprise.
Thomas Marion Elless, who has followed agricultural pursuits all his life
and is now operating a large farm in Garfield township, is a native of Brown
township, Ripley county, Indiana, born March 22, 1837, and a son of James and
Matilda (Harns) Elless, natives of Kentucky, who located in Indiana in 1800
when that country was in a primitive condition and inhabited by Indians. When
a young man his great-grandfather on the paternal side left Ireland with a
companion and succeeded in being secreted in the hold of a ship bound for America.
In this manner he made his way to the new world, where he became a soldier in
the Revolutionary war, after which he removed to Pennsylvania and thence to
Kentucky, becoming a pioneer in both states. He is the founder of the family
in this country. His given name is unknown, all family records having been lost.
The grandfather of Thomas M. Elless was a resident of Kentucky and at the
time he located there settlers were permitted to select their own tracts of land,
mark them out to suit their own convenience and upon returning their field notes
to the government authorities they secured the title to the property. This was
a very illy devised method, as people made little provision for roads and
consequently the thoroughfares were few and narrow and ran in every direction. In
his family were James, John, William, Wesley, Nancy, Polly, Becka and Susanna.
James Elless, the only survivor, removed with his family from Indiana to Winneshiek
county, Iowa, in 1853 and two years later went to Fillmore county, Minnesota,
where he departed this life in his eighty-third year. His wife passed away
in 1865 in her sixty-fourth year, while on a visit to the place where she was
married. Her ancestors were of English and Welsh descent, while her husband
on the authority of his father was of English, Irish, Welsh and Dutch extraction.
The district schools afforded Thomas Marion Elless his education and in his
twentieth year he left his father's farm and started out in the world for himself,
spending two years in Kentucky and Indiana. In 1888 he settled in Garfield
township, Clay county, Iowa, the place being then known as Herdland township.
He purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 35, for which he
gave eight dollars an acre and with the exception of a little over a year, which
he spent in the town of Marathon, he has since resided on this farm where he has
been engaged in producing general crops, also giving some attention to live stock.
Here he has lived to see his family grow up around him and all comfortably settled
in life and, having worked hard throughout his career, always evincing a high
degree of industry and enterprise, together with good management and economy,
he is now planning to give up active life and retire to the town of Marathon to
spend his declining years in retirement.
On October 30, 1862, Mr. Elless was united in marriage to Mary Catherine
Cole, daughter of Abner and Mahala (Oneal) Cole, natives of Kentucky, who
at an early day went to Indiana, where her father passed away in 1884 and her
mother seventeen days later. In her mother's family were many children, all of
whom are now deceased, while the members of her father's family have also long
since entered into rest. To this union have been born: Mahala is the wife of A. E.
Wright, and they live in Payette, Idaho, with their children: Emery Leonard,
Vernie, Glenn and Bessie. Matilda is the wife of John Fishbaugher, a resident
of Fillmore county, Minnesota, and they have four children: George, Franklin,
Glenn and Lee, all of whom reside with their parents. Elzora is the wife of
George Delaney and they reside in Garfield township with their two children,
Owen and John. Edward married Daisy Murray and resides in this county.
Frances wedded J. R. Cross and they are living in Dewey county, Oklahoma.
In politics Mr. Elless is usually in accord with democratic principles and
votes for the state and national candidates of the party, but at local elections casts
an independent ballot, supporting the men who, in his opinion, are best qualified
for the ofiices they seek. His own public service has been commendable. He
was for five years a member of the school board and has ever been a stalwart
champion of the cause of public education. For six years he served as justice
of the peace and it is to his credit that during his incumbency in that office he
never tried a lawsuit. Not because none were brought before him, but by reason
of the fact that he always succeeded in bringing the contesting parties to a mutual
agreement. He has been a member of the Baptist church since he was twenty-one
years of age and is a zealous and faithful Christian. His life has ever been upright
and honorable and in his record there are many qualities worthy of emulation.
He has now passed the seventy-second milestone on life's journey and his activity
and enterprise in former years well entitle him to rest throughout his remaining
days. He has not only by capable management and unfaltering industry won for
himself a handsome competence but through his agricultural interests has
promoted the general prosperity of the county.
Martin L. Lauck, living, on section 22, Summit township, where he is busily
engaged with the duties of farming and stock-raising, has a good place of one
hundred and fifty-seven acres which is well improved. He has lived in the
county since 1892 and has always been a resident of the middle west, his birth
having occurred in Stephenson county, Illinois, September 10. 1856. His father,
John Lauck, was a native of York county, Pennsylvania, where he was reared
and educated. In that county he wedded Miss Anna Marian, a native of the
Keystone state. During his residence in Pennsylvania John Lauck followed the
occupation of farming but, thinking the great prairie districts of the middle west
offered still better opportunities, he removed to Stephenson county, Illinois,
where he opened up and developed a new farm, upon which he reared his family.
There he spent his remaining days, his death occurring January 18, 1886. His
wife survived him about fifteen years and died January 19, 1901. Their family
numbered eight children, five sons and three daughters, of whom four sons are
yet living.
The days of his boyhood and youth were quietly passed by Martin L. Lauck,
who was reared on the home farm in his native county. He attended the public
schools through the winter seasons and in the periods of vacation assisted in the
work of the home farm, so that he early became familiar with the best methods
of plowing, planting and harvesting. On the 7th of November, 1879, he won a
companion and helpmate for the journey of life in his marriage to Miss Maggie
L. Bennehoff, who was born and reared in Stephenson county. Following their
marriage Mr. Lauck cultivated his father's farm for two years and then began
renting land elsewhere, remaining on one farm ten years. Desirous of owning
a farm and believing that he would have better opportunity to secure land in
western Iowa, he came to Clay county in 1892. Here he began renting and
after ten years took up his abode on his present place, on section 22, Summit
township. He purchased the farm in 1904 and, though it was then raw land, he
soon transformed it into productive fields. In the midst of his place stands a
neat residence, while a barn and outbuildings furnish shelter for his stock and
his grain. He not only cultivates his home place of one hundred and fifty-seven
acres, but also operates other land and is numbered among, the substantial
farmers of the county. He has owned and operated a steam thresher for ten
years, threshing over several townships and also in adjoining counties, and this
branch of his business has made him well known and also contributed to his
success. About 1905 his son William went to South Dakota and located a
homestead in Lyman county. He spent one year and ten months on that place
in order to perfect his title and later sold the claim. Our subject is now a stock-
holder in both the Fostoria and Spencer elevators and likewise in the Northern
Rural Telephone Company and in the Farmers' Telephone Company. His life
has been one of untiring industry and his sound judgment has guided his labors
and won for him the measure of success which he now enjoys.
Mr. and Mrs. Lauck have a family of two children: William A., who
follows farming, was married on the 4th of March, 1908, to Miss Ruby M.
Thomas, who was born and reared in Wisconsin and thence came to Iowa.
William Lauck is now associated with his father in farming operations and is a
young man of marked business enterprise and ability. The daughter, Maud J.,
is the wife of J. L. Russel, a telegraph operator of Spencer.
In his political views Mr. Lauck is a democrat. He has supported the
party since attaining his majority and has been elected on its ticket to several
local offices. He was first appointed to the position of township trustee and
later was elected and reelected. He has also been officially connected with the
schools and the cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion. He is a
Master Mason, belonging to Spencer Lodge, and he likewise holds membership
relations with the Modern Woodmen and the Knights of the Globe, while his
wife is a member of the Royal Neighbors, of the Woman's Relief Corps and the
Ladies' Home Society, and the Knights of the Globe. They are both highly
esteemed in the community and have an extensive circle of warm friends, who
entertain for them the kindliest regard and to them extend the hospitality of their
homes. Since coming to this county Mr. Lauck has taken an active and helpful
interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the commimity and his
cooperation can always be counted upon to further any movement for the public
good.
Charles R. Howe, who is in high standing in the financial circles of Spencer,
as assistant cashier of the First National Bank, to which responsible position he
has been promoted on the strength of his merits as a business man, was born in
Buena Vista county, near Marathon, Iowa, January 16, 1879, a son of John R.
and Mary E. (Shutt) Howe, who were natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania respectively,
and who reared the following children: Minnie, wife of Enoch Erickson,
of Marathon; Charles R.; William Martin, of Terril; Susie, wIto wedded Dr.
Rust, of Webb, Iowa; Rush, who died when sixteen years of age; Pearl, who
wedded Bert Warwick, of Webb; and Cassius, of Marathon.
John R. Howe, who has followed agricultural pursuits all his life, went to
Fayette county, Iowa, when a boy, in company with his parents. There he grew
to manhood and in 1869 removed to Buena Vista county, where he homesteaded
a tract of land embracing one hundred and seventy-six acres, which he improved
and still owns. He and his wife attend divine services at the Methodist Episcopal
church. The paternal grandfather was a native of England and, having
attained a great age, passed away near Marathon, this state. His wife died in
Fayette county, Iowa. They reared a family of eight children.
In Buena Vista county Charles R. Howe was reared on his father's farm
and acquired his preliminary education in the district schools. After he had
completed the course in the Marathon high school, he attended the Iowa State
College at Ames during the years 1897 and 1898, and then completed a business
course at the Capital City Commercial College, of Des Moines. In 1900 he
came to Spencer, where he was employed as a stenographer and bookkeeper in
the First National Bank. He manifested business qualifications which merited
him promotion from one position of trust to another until 1904, when he was
made cashier of the People's Saving Bank, which position he still holds, and has
also been assistant cashier of the First National since 1907.
On September 6, 1905, Mr. Howe was united in marriage to Miss Emma
M. Anderson, a native of Spencer and daughter of Andrew Anderson, whose
sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Howe have one child,
Dorothy. Politically Mr. Howe is affiliated with the republican party. He is a
man of exceptional business tact, judgment and energy, and his industry and
perseverance have not only enabled him to gradually rise to the responsible
position he now holds, but they also commanded for him the respect of the entire
community in which he is numbered among the substantial and representative
citizens.
Arthur L. Brandon has been a resident of Greenville ten years, and during
this time has firmly established himself in the confidence and good will of his
fellow townsmen, who recognize in him the characteristics of a progressive
merchant and honorable business man — one who knows that the secret of success
is not found in any unusual combination of circumstances or in any peculiar
environment, but lies in the individual — in his ability and willingness to plan and
to perform. Mr. Brandon is now a member of the firm of Brandon Brothers
Lumber Company, conducting a well appointed lumberyard at Greenville, where
they are also owners of a hardware business. A native of Kansas, he was born in
the city of Burlington, March 30, 1867, and is a son of Peter and Matilda
(Rooney) Brandon, both of whom were natives of Ohio. Their family numbered four
children: Arthur L. and Frank, who are partners in business; Murl;
and Nora. The father was reared in the Hoosier state. His father was a native
of Ohio and made the occupation of farming his life vocation. Unto him and
his wife, Mrs. Sarah Brandon, there were born twelve children, and it was not
until they had reached old age that their life's labors were ended in death.
The maternal grandfather of Arthur L. Brandon was a native of Indiana, and
he, too, tilled the soil as a source of livelihood in support of his large family.
Peter Brandon was reared to farm work, early becoming familiar with the
best methods of planting and caring for his crops and gathering the harvests.
It was in 1859 that he removed to Kansas, settling in Coffey connty, where he
took up a tract of land and began the development of a farm. He was busily
engaged in the work of the fields until after the outbreak of the Civil war,
when he offered his services to the Union, and for three years did active duty
at the front in defense of the old flag and the cause it represented. He belongs
to the Masonic fraternity, while his wife is a member of the Methodist church,
and they are still well known and highly esteemed residents of Burlington.
The home farm of the father was the training school for Arthur L.
Brandon in his boyhood and youth. It was there that lessons of industry and
enterprise were impressed upon his mind and he was also taught the value of
unremitting perseverance and unfaltering integrity. His mental training was
received in the district schools and in the University of Kansas, and when his
education was completed he began bookkeeping in the People's National Bank of
Burlington, Kansas, where he remained one year. On the expiration of that
period he turned his attention to the lumber business at Gridley, Kansas, where
he was employed for a year, and afterward went to Republic county, Kansas,
where for nine years he engaged in the lumber business on his own account,
having his yard at Narka. Later he removed to Kansas City, Missouri, and
engaged in the grain business. Hiawatha, Kansas, and Falls City, Nebraska,
were his next stopping places. In the fall of 1899 he arrived in Spencer, Iowa,
and son (sic) afterward opened a lumberyard at Greenville and also a hardware
store. In these interests he is associated with his brother Frank, the labors of
one ably supplementing the labors and ability of the other in the conduct of
interests which are now proving profitable and which are enjoying continuous
growth.
In 1888 Mr. Brandon was married to Miss Laura Reed, a daughter of M.
A. Reed, and a native of Miami county, Kansas. Four children were born unto
them, Mable, Matie, Arthur L. and Perry, but the two sons are now deceased.
Mr. Brandon, in his study of the political conditions of the country and of the
issues and questions of the day, has come to the conclusion that the best interests
of the nation are conserved through the republican party, and therefore supports
that party at the polls. Both he and his wife are Congregationalists in religious
faith, and in social circles they occupy an enviable position as the result of the
possession of qualities which win kindly regard and sincere friendship.
James S. Ady is now living retired in Spencer. It is fitting that he should
enjoy this period of rest in the evening of life, for through many years he
was closely associated with agricultural interests and at all times has been a
patriotic and progressive citizen, who gave ample proof of his devotion to his
country in the dark days of the Civil war. He has made his home in Spencer
since 1896. and enjoys to the full the respect and good will of his fellow towns-
men. His birth occurred near McConnelsville. in Morgan county, Ohio, March
7, 1839, his parents being Joshua and Hannah (Spencer) Ady, the former a
native of Baltimore, Maryland, and the latter of Belmont county, Ohio. The
Ady family is of English origin, and James Ady, grandfather of James S. Ady,
was born in England, whence he came to the new world, settling in Maryland,
near Baltimore. This was at a period when the country was still numbered
among the colonial possessions of Great Britain. His sympathy was with the
colonists when they attempted to throw off the yoke of British oppression, and
in 1777 he enlisted for active service in the Revolutionary war. For many years
he lived to enjoy the fruits of liberty. He was a cooper by trade, but became a
pioneer farmer of Morgan county, Ohio, where he died in 1847, at the venerable
age of eighty-six years. His wife bore the maiden name of Mary Hill, and
they reared several children. The maternal grandfather of James S. Ady was
William Spencer, a native of Loudoun county, Virginia, whence he removed to
Belmont county, Ohio, when it was still a frontier district, his death occurring
there a little more than a half century ago. He devoted much of his life to farming,
but in Ohio also conducted a tavern between Morristown and St. Clairsville.
His wife, Mrs. Sarah Spencer, belonged to a pioneer family of Hatchers
Run, Virginia, which was named in their honor. Mrs. Spencer lived to be more
than ninety years of age, but was blind for more than twenty-five years before
her demise.
Reared in the place of his nativity, Joshua Ady learned the cooper's trade
in Baltimore, and afterward removed to Morgan county, Ohio, casting in his
lot among the early settlers who were reclaiming that district for the purposes of
civilization. There, in the midst of the forest, he cleared and developed a farm,
and also followed the cooper's trade. Subsequently he removed with his wife to
Wisconsin, and in their later years they lived with their children at Viroqua.
The death of Mr. Ady there occurred when he was eighty-two years of age,
while his wife reached the age of eighty-four. For a long period he was minister
of the Methodist church and he belonged to the Ohio militia while living in that
state. There were only three weeks between the time of the death of the parents,
and both were laid to rest in Viroqua cemetery. Their family numbered eight
children, five daughters and three sons, of whom four are now living: Mary
E., the widow of A. W. Green, and a resident of Viroqua, Wisconsin; James
S., of this review; Matilda Ann, the wife of Samuel Williams, of Trenton,
Missouri; and Joshua T., a resident of Bowbells, North Dakota.
James S. Ady was reared on the home farm in Morgan county, Ohio, working
in the fields from the time of early spring planting until crops were harvested
in the late autumn. He was busily employed at farm work when the Civil war
broke out, but had watched with interest the progress of events in the south,
had noted the growing spirit of rebellion, and resolved that if a blow was struck
to overthrow the Union he would stand loyally in its defense. He therefore
enlisted at the first call for seventy-five thousand men, but the regiment being
full before his name was called, he did not see active service with that command.
Again he offered his services on the 1st of September, 1861, and was assigned
to duty with the Seventeenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he served
for almost four years, or until the 20th of July, 1865. He held the rank or ser-
geant and was three times slightly wounded. He was in the first battle that
was fought in the west, that at Wild Cat, Kentucky, and he contributed to the
victory that finally crowned the Union arms. Among the battles in which he
took part were those of Mill Springs, Pittsburg Landing, Siege of Corinth,
Perryville, Stone River, the Tallahoma campaign, Chickamauga, Missionary
Ridge, Resaca and Kenesaw Mountain. He was also in many skirmishes, in the
siege of Atlanta, on the celebrated march with Sherman to the sea, and in the
battle of Jonesboro. The last engagement in which he participated was at
Bentonville, North Carolina, and later he marched through the streets of the capital
city in the Grand Review — the most celebrated military pageant ever seen on
the western hemisphere. The streets at Washington were lined with cheering
thousands, while across Pennsylvania avenue stretched a banner bearing the
words, "the only debt which the country cannot pay is the debt which she owes,
her soldiers." He and his regiment marched over six thousand miles, aside from
all drills, and also traveled nearly six thousand miles by railroad and steamboat.
Mr. Ady was never absent from his command and never in the hospital, but was
always found at his post of duty, faithfully doing every task that was assigned
him, being prompted at all times by a patriotic devotion to his country and her
welfare.
When the war was over Mr. Ady returned to the north, was married and
began farming on his own account in Ohio. In the fall of 1866 he removed to
Viroqua county, Wisconsin, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits,
and also operated a gristmill; but the mill was destroyed by fire and he lost
everything he had. He then faced the difficult task of starting anew, but with
resolute spirit he faced the situation, and in March, 1883, removed to Odebolt,
Sac county, Iowa, where he engaged in farming. For four years he resided at
Ocoboji Lake, and in 1896 came to Clay county, since which time he has been
a resident of Spencer. He was, however, identified with farming interests in
Iowa for thirteen years, and during that time his careful management and well
directed industry brought him a creditable and gratifying success, so that with
a comfortable competence he is now living retired, his possessions being sufficient
to supply him with all of the necessities and some of the luxuries of life.
On the 30th of August, 1865, Mr. Ady was united in marriage to Miss Mary
E. Tracy, who was born in Belmont county, Ohio, March 22, 1840, a daughter
of Andrew and Mary (Gaston) Tracy. Her father, a native of Baltimore,
Maryland, died at the age of eighty-three years, while her mother passed away
at the age of forty-five. Their family numbered five sons and three daughters,
but only two are now living, the sister of Mrs. Ady being Rachel, now the widow
of R. G. Browning, of Zanesville, Ohio. The paternal grandfather, Andrew
Tracy, who was born in Baltimore, Maryland, wedded Rachel Vaughn, and
devoted his life to farming. The maternal grandfather was Ephraim Gaston,
a native of England, who sought a home in the new world and devoted his life
to the practice of medicine. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ady have been born six
children: Ida May is the wife of William Wells, and they make their home in
Payette, Idaho. They have two daughters, Wenona Leona and Birdie Leota.
Adolphus W. follows farming near Milford, in Dickinson county, Iowa. He
wedded Emma Draper, by whom he has four children, Roy, Marie, Clarence
and Mary E. William H. follows farming near Odebolt, Sac county. Iowa. He
wedded Anna U. Long, and their family numbers three children, Lelah, Fern and
Wayne. James F. is a blacksmith in Schaller, Iowa. He wedded Miss Lucy
Peck, and they have four children, Ellsworth, Esther, Elta and Ruth. Thomas
O. owns a fruit ranch near Payette, Idaho. He wedded Hattie Serber, and
they have a daughter and son, Virginia and James S. Lucy R. is the wife of
Louis Rasmussen, of Spencer, by whom she has three children, Orson Ray,
Neva Ione and Millard.
Mr. Ady owns several good city properties, including his own home, and is
now comfortably situated in life. His political allegiance is given to the
republican party and he is a member of Annett Post. No. 124, G. A. R., thus
maintaining pleasant relations with his old army comrades as they recall the scenes and
events of military experience in the south and on the battlefields. One by one
they are responding to the last roll call, but as long as the American people
study the history of their country, the loyal and patriotic citizens will thrill with
the story of the defense of the Uion by the brave boys in blue.
The value of the local newspapers in the upbuilding of the best interests of
any community is universally conceded. The rule is that good papers are found
in good towns, inferior journals in towns of stunted growth and uncertain
future. It is not so much a matter of size as of excellence and of adaptability
to the needs of its locality. The conditions given, in an appreciative and pro-
gressive community, the size of the paper will take care of itself in a way
mutually satisfactory to publishers and patrons. This truth Edgar S. Randall
recognizes, and in his publication of the Spencer Reporter has made it a paper
of value to the town and county, and naturally has been accorded a liberal
patronage that makes his paper as well an excellent advertising medium.
Born in Washington county, Iowa, on the 20th of July, 1870, he is a son
of William S. and Mary C. (Boden) Randall, both of whom were natives of
Ohio. The former was a son of Amos R. Randall, whose birth occurred in
Virginia. He followed the occupation of farming as a life work, and removed
to Ohio, where for many years he engaged in tilling the soil. He wedded Mary
Gallaher, and both were about eighty-five years of age when called to the
home beyond. Their family numbered eight children. The maternal grandfather
of Edgar S. Randall was William Boden, a native of West Virginia, who carried
on both farming and blacksmithing. He married Elizabeth Geddes and lived to
be seventy-one years of age, while his wife reached the age of eighty-six years.
They were the parents of three children, including Mary C. Boden, who gave her
hand in marriage to William S. Randall. In early manhood William S. Randall
devoted his time and energies to the tilling of the soil. Following the outbreak
of the Civil war he joined the army as a private and served from August, 1861,
until April, 1866, giving proof of his loyalty and valor by his faithful services
on many hotly contested battlefields. After the war he removed to Washington
county, Iowa, where he engaged in farming until 1873, and then went to Clay
county, Nebraska, where he resided for twenty years, passing away in April,
1893, when only fifty-three years of age. His wife still survives him and is now
living in Spencer. Both were members of the Methodist church and were
earnest, consistent Christian people. Mr. Randall was prominent in community
affairs and was recognized as a public-spirited citizen. For two terms he served
as treasurer of Clay comity, Nebraska, and was also called to represent his
district for two terms in the Nebraska legislature. He was equaly eminent in
Grand Army circles, serving as senior vice commander of the department of
Nebraska, while throughout that state he organized posts. His life was one
of usefulness and activity, characterized by unfaltering devotion to the general
good. His family numbered two sons and two daughters: May L., the wife
of J. R. McKee, of Spencer; Edgar S.; Frank W., also of Spencer; and Pearl,
the wife of Harry Karr, of Clinton. Illinois.
Edgar S. Randall was reared in Clay county, Nebraska, and attended the
public schools of Sutton and Fairfield prior to pursuing a more advanced literary
course in Fairfield College. In early manhood he learned the printer's trade,
which he followed most of the time for a number of years. He also did railroad
surveying for a short time, and during the latter years of his father's life
worked with him in his newspaper office. In 1896 he removed to Sidney, Iowa,
where, in company with J. R. McKee, he conducted a paper for eight years, or
until 1904, when they came to Spencer and purchased ths Reporter, a weekly
republican paper. Here they have a well equipped office and also do job and
book work, the various branches of their business now bringing them merited
success. The paper has a large circulation and also an excellent advertising
patronage.
On the 19th of October, 1904, Mr. Randall was united in marriage to Miss
Daisy Wilson, a daughter of Nathaniel C. and Elizabeth (Sproule) Wilson.
She was born in Scott county, Iowa, while her father was a native of Ireland
and her mother of Illinois. Mr. Wilson died in November, 1904, at the age of
sixty-three years, and Mrs. Wilson is now living in Sidney, Iowa.
Mr. and Mrs. Randall hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church
and have many friends in Spencer and other parts of the state. Mr. Randall
belongs to Fairfield Lodge, No. 84. A. F. & A. M., to Clay Chapter No. 112,
R. A. M., and to Spencer Lodge of the Knights of Pythias. He is also a member
of the Modern Woodmen Camp. He is recognized as a prominent factor in
republican politics, and for five years was chairman of the central committee
of Fremont county, while for some time he was a member of the eighth district
congressional committee. He does all in his power to further the interests of his
party, and is equally loyal in local matters of progress and improvement.
For twenty-two years Angelo A. Flint has been a resident of Clay county
and throughout the entire period has been closely associated with the grain trade
in Clay county, being now well known as a grain dealer of Dickens. His business
probity and enterprise have placed him in an unassailable position in the
614 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
regard cf his fellow townsmen, and his diligence and perseverance have brought
him gratifying success. A native of the Empire state, Angelo A. Flint was
born in Montgomery county, January 19, 1836. The family is of Holland Dutch
origin and was founded in America at an early day, and William Flint, the
grandfather of our subject, was born in New York. He followed the occupation
of farming in support of his family and both he and his wife lived to an advanced
age. Mrs. Flint bore the maiden name of Jennie McFee and by her marriage
became the mother of one son and four daughters. To this family belonged
John Flint, who was born in New York, and having arrived at years of maturity,
wedded Effa Flint, a daughter of Jacob Harvey Flint, who was likewise a
native of New York, while his ancestors also came from Holland. He carried on
agricultural pursuits as a life work, and both he and his wife. Mrs. Mary
(Bartlett) Flint, reached an advanced age ere they were called to their final rest.
John Flint, father of Angelo A. Flint, made farming his life work, and at
an early period in the development of the middle west removed to Wisconsin,
locating in Walworth county, near Whitewater. A few years afterward he
removed to Columbia county, Wisconsin, where he died when about fifty-five
years of age. His wife had passed away just eighteen days before, when fifty-
three years of age, and thus they were separated by death for only a very brief
period. Their earnest Christian lives were in harmony with their professions as
members of the Methodist church and their good qualities endeared them to
all who knew them. They were the parents of six children, one son and five
daughters: Esther, the deceased wife of C. E. Page; Angelo A., of this review;
Nancy, the deceased wife of R. M. Cleveland; Mary, the wife of George Forbush,
of Neillsville, Wisconsin; Frances, the widow of Wilson Pool; and Emily, the
deceased wife of Abijah White.
Angelo A. Flint resided in Montgomery county, New York. until nine
years of age, and in 1845 accompanied his parents on their removal westward
to Wisconsin, his youth being passed in Walworth county. When he started
out in life on his own account he sought a clerkship in a store in Whitewater,
and was thus employed there until 1854, when he went to Stoughton, Wisconsin.
It was his place of residence until 1880, when he removed into the iron mountain
region of the lower peninsula of Michigan. where he continued for seven years.
The month of March, 1887, witnessed his arrival in Clay county, and, settling
in Spencer, he has since made his home in this county. He conducted a grain
business in the county seat for some years and is now managing a grain elevator
at Dickens, although he retains his residence in Spencer.
Mr. Flint was united in marriage to Miss Eiuma Parker, of Stoughton,
Wisconsin, who was born in Vermont, of which state her parents, Nahum and
Roxie (Chapin) Parker, were also natives. The latter was a daughter of
Gideon Chapin, who was born in Vermont and in the later years of his life
followed the occupation of farming. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Parker were born two
sons and two daughters, but the sons have passed away. The daughters are
Mrs. Flint, and Francilla, the wife of C. L. Dearborn, of Stoughton, Wisconsin.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Flint has been blessed with four children, but Mamie,
the eldest, died in early childhood. Earnest P., who is engaged in the banking
business in Dickens as cashier of the Exchange Bank, married Lorena Varney
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY 615
and has one daughter. Hattie is the wife of George H. Purdy, of Mason City,
Iowa, and they have three children, Marie, Harold and George Flint Purdy.
Jessie is the wife of Zephaniah C. Platt, a resident of Sanborn, Iowa, and their
children are Anna and Jean Platt. Mrs. Flint is a member of the Congregational
church and is an estimable lady, who presides with gracious hospitality over
their attractive home. Mr. Flint gives his political support to the republican
party and is interested in its growth and success, but does not demand office as
a reward for party fealty. Although he has passed the seventy-third milestone
on life's journey, he is still active in business and is one of the well known citizens
of the county, whose commercial enterprise and integrity, whose public-spirited
citizenship and genuine personal worth have gained for him the high esteem of
those who know him.
W. A. Judson, who for many years has been associated in an influential way
with the farming and stock-raising interests of Peterson township, Clay county,
was born in Delaware county, New York, December 6, 1834. His parents were
Lewis B. and Pauline (Maybee) Judson, and is descended from English
ancestors who came to the new world some time during the sixteenth century.
His father, a native of New York, removed from the home farm in 1840, to
one in Wyoming county, that state, on which he remained for seven years, and
then went to Ogle county, Illinois, where he followed farming from 1849 to
1857 inclusive. He next removed to Clinton county. Iowa, and from there in
1884 to O'Brien county, Iowa, while in 1896 he moved to Grand Junction,
Colorado, with his daughter. There he died in 1898 and was buried in Colorado.
He followed general farming in connection with blacksmithing all his life and
was a man who enjoyed both the respect and confidence of the people in the
several communities in which he resided. His wife was also a native of New
York, where they were united in marriage, and she departed this life in O'Brien
county, Iowa, where her remains were interred. They had three children:
Francis, deceased; Emogene, wife of Stephen Redden, of Grand Junction.
Colorado; and W. A.
In the common schools of his native village W. A. Judson acquired his
education and then engaged in the work of the home farm until he was twenty-
seven years of age, when he enlisted, in 1862, as a member of Company F,
Twenty-sixth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, in which he served with the rank of
sergeant until he received an honorable discharge in the year 1865. He was
with his regiment in a number of noted engagements among which were the
siege of Vicksburg, the Atlanta campaign and the battles of Chattanooga,
Savannah, Bentonville, Lookout Mountain and Athens. After the war he resumed
farming and engaged in that occupation until the year 1907, when he retired
from active life. He has been a resident of Clay county for the past twenty-six
years and owns a half section of land in Peterson township and a quarter section
in Douglas countv. Wisconsin. His farms are highly improved and in excellent
condition, being provided with dwelling, houses, barns, outbuildings and also
modern machinery requisite to successfully pursue the work of the fields. He
met with splendid success in general farming and stock-raising, and is now able
to spend his remaining days in comfort and prosperity, having acquired a
handsome competence through his intelligently directed labors.
In 1862 Mr. Judson was united in marriage, in Clinton county, Iowa, to
Miss Phebe Barber, of Lee county. Illinois, and they are now parents of four
children: Alice, who became the wife of Frederick Eggleston, a contractor and
builder of Forsythe, Montana; Orin, a plumber of Grand Junction, Colorado;
Ella, who wedded Frederick Lyons, who is engaged in the fruit business in this
state; and Osro, a farmer of Chippewa county, Minnesota. Mr. Judson belongs
to the Protestant Episcopal church and is a comrade of Peterson Post, G. A. R.
He has alwavs given his political support to the republican party, the
principles of which he has been a deep student, being convinced that they are in
every respect adequate to preserve and maintain the financial prosperity of the
country, he has never been lax in using, his influence to assist the party
candidates in securing election. A self-made man, Mr. Judson with little education
and without capital started out in life for himself, and. being inspired by
laudable ambition and possessed of aggressiveness and zeal, he applied himself
energetically to the tasks set before him and on the strength of his own
resources, reinforced by hard work and honesty, he found success and finally
attained his present position of prosperity. He can now spend his declining
years in comfort amid the regard of friends who recognize his worth and justly
count him one of the representative citizens of the county.
John McWhirter, treasurer of Clay county, and a reprosentative and highly
respected citizen, was born in Cook county, Illinois, June 28, 1859, a son of
James and Jane (Hanna) McWhirter. natives of Scotland, who had three
children, namely: David, of South Dakota; Maggie, wife of James Gardner,
of Waterloo, Iowa; and John. The father has followed agricultural pursuits
since he came to America, at which time he settled at Arlington Heights, Cook
county, Illinois, from which place, in the year 1869, he moved to Iowa and
located in Tama county, where he still resides and is active in the cultivation
of a farm containing two hundred and twenty acres. He is held in high respect
as a citizen of genuine worth. He and his wife are stanch adherents of the
Presbyterian faith. The paternal and maternal grandfathers of John McWhirter
were natives of Scotland, where they passed away after having lived to a ripe
old age.
John McWhirter, in company with his parents, came to Iowa in 1869,
when nearly eleven years of age and was reared on his father's farm in Tama
county, while in the district schools he acquired his education. He remained
at home until he was twenty-two years old, when for several years he was
engaged by his brother as a stock buyer. Subsequently he formed a partnership
with S. C. Hause and for two years they conducted a grocery business in
Morrison, Grundy county. After disposing of his interest in the business, he
engaged in farming in that county for several years and after having spent
ten years as a grain dealer in Everly, Clay county, he removed to Spencer in
1902, where for two years he was in the real-estate business, at the expiration
of which time he was elected county treasurer, which position he has filled
for five years. He owns a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Red Lake
county, Minnesota.
Mr. McWhirter, on December 6, 1885, wedded Miss Letitia Morrison,
daughter of Jeff and Susan (Troutman) Morrison, who was born in Grundy
county, where her parents, natives of the Keystone state, were early settlers
and where her father still lives, her mother having passed away, leaving the
following children: John; Elizabeth, wife of Peter Mutch; Kate, widow of
A. S. Wier; Ulysses G.; Allie, deceased; and Letitia. Mr. and Mrs. McWhirter
have two children: Ralph and Esther. Mrs. McWhirter is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal church, where her husband also attends services but with
which he is not affiliated. Politically he is an advocate of the republican party,
using his vote and influence during campaigns in behalf of its candidates. He
is a man of executive ability and of industry, and these qualities are making
him an able official, his record having won him high commendation.
Frank August Gabrielson. well known in Clay county by reason of his
former connection with commercial interests and his present connection with
agricultural affairs, now lives in Garfield township, where he owns one hundred
and sixty acres of land. There he follows general farming, and stock-raising
and in his well-directed business efforts is meeting with gratifying success.
He was born in Webster county, Iowa, March 3, 1861, a son of John and
Florence (Peterson) Gabrielson, both of whom are natives of Sweden. It was
in 1857 that his parents came to America and the following year settled in
Webster county. The father was born in Boxholm, Sweden, November 16, 1826,
and on the 24th of June, 1850, he wedded Florence Charlotta Peterson. They
lived for about seven years thereafter in their native country and then, as stated,
came to the new world, establishing their home in Galesburg, Illinois, where
they resided about a year. In 1858 they came to Webster county and were
pioneers in that part of the state. During the period of his residence in Galesburg
Mr. Gabrielson was converted and became an earnest Christian worker.
Following the establishment of his home in Dayton, Iowa, he became a local
preacher and a deacon in the Methodist church. For many years he engaged in
preaching the gospel and at all times was most active and earnest in promoting
the various departments of the church work. He not only followed the call of
"Onward Christian Soldiers," but also proved a faithful soldier of his country in
her hour of need, enlisting at the time of the outbreak of the Civil war as a
member of Company C. Eleventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry. His memory remains as
a blessed benediction to all who knew him, because of his loyalty to principles of
truth, justice, right and honor. The world is better for his having lived, for his
labors were ever a potent element for good in the community in which he made
his home. He died May 28, 1908, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Hans
Shold, of Dayton, Iowa, his wife's death occurring January 4th of that year.
In the family of this worthy couple were ten children, of whom the eldest
died in infancy. Axel C, born in 1855, is now living in Dayton, Iowa. Charles
J., born in 1857, died in 1900. Hattie C, born in 1859, passed away in 1886.
Frank August is next in order of birth. Mary C, born in 1862, is the wife of
Hans Shold, a blacksmith residing in Dayton. George A., born in 1864, married
Anna Burk and makes his home in Dayton township, Webster county, Iowa, on
the old homestead farm, which joins the corporation limits of Dayton on the
north. Edward, who was born in 1866, married Kate Entermill, and died in
1907. Victor, born in 1868, was married June 21, 1893, to Hannah Sokinson,
and lives in Dayton. A daughter died in infancy.
Frank August Gabrielson was reared in Dayton under the refining influences
of a good, Christian home, he pursued his education in the public schools,
enjoying the pleasures common to the youth of that day , and did such tasks as
were assigned him through parental authority. In the fall of 1882, when a young
man of twenty-one years, he removed to Sioux Rapids, where he engaged in
the hardware business. The enterprise prospered from the beginning and as
the years went by he enjoyed an increasing business and became well known as
a merchant of the town. In 1907, however, he sold out and located on the farm
which he now occupies, comprising one hundred and sixty acres of land, in
Garfield township. Here he follows general farming and stock-raising and
has a well equipped place which in its neat and thrifty appearance indicates his
careful supervision and practical methods.
It was on the 26th of January, 1887, that Mr. Gabrielson was married to
Miss Ida Jansen, a daughter of R. M. and Laura (Dean) Jansen, who were
natives of the state of New York. They were married January 8, 1856, and
settled near Fort Wayne, Indiana, at an early day. Mrs. Jansen was born near
Macedon, New York. May 27, 1832, and died January 8, 1900, the last two and
a half years of her life being passed in Linn Grove. She was the mother of
seven children: Frank, who married Mollie Harp and resides in Humboldt,
Iowa; Ella, the wife of Arthur Stevens, a resident of Seibert, Colorado; Ida
wife of A. Gabrielson; Irena, the wife of John J. Jacobson, living in Lebanon,
South Dakota; Cora, who is a teacher in one of the schools of Okmulgee, Oklahoma;
John, who resides in Dallas, South Dakota; and Birdie, a professional
nurse, now located in Portland, Oregon. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Gabrielson
has been blessed with several children, but they lost their first-born in infancy.
The others are: Ira N., who was born September 27, 1889, and is attending
Morningside College; Guy G., who was born May 22, 1891, and is attending
school in Sioux Rapids; and Rush R.. who was born April 7, 1897, and is a
student in a home school at Webb.
The family are members of the Methodist church at Webb and are well
known socially, having the warm regard of all who come in contact with them.
Mr. Gabrielson is a member of Buena Vista Lodge, No. 574. I. O. O. F.. and
both he and his wife are members of Sioux Valley Lodge, No. 387, Daughters of
Rebekah. He is also connected with the Court of Honor and the Yeomen, and
in his political views is a stalwart republican. In all life's relations, whether as
a business man, citizen or in social affairs, he is progressive and believes that the
individual should continually advance through the recognition and improvement
of the opportunities wdiich come to all. He well deserves classification with the
foremost leading citizens of his community.
J. P. Tischer owns and occupies an attractive home in Fostoria, where he
is to some extent living retired, although he still has valuable farming property
in Summit township, to which he gives his personal supervision. His old home
place is an excellent farm of three hundred and twenty acres and in addition
he owns one hundred and sixty acres in Dickinson county, while his dwelling
in Fostoria is one of the fine residences of the village. Thirty-seven years have
come and gone since Iowa has numbered him among her citizens, while in 1885
he became a resident of Clay county. A native of Germany, he was born in
Schleswig, September 19, 1856. His father was likewise a native of that country
and after arriving at years of maturity he wedded Anna M. Marquardsen who
was likewise born in the fatherland. They remained residents of that country
until after the birth of six sons, when with his wife and children John A.
Tischer came to the United States, crossing the Atlantic in 1872. He did not
tarry in the east but made his way at once to Iowa, where he joined his two
sons, Louis and Henry, who had come to the new world a few years before
and had settled in Benton county, this state. The father purchased a farm
there, upon which he continued to reside until called to that undiscovered
country from whose bourn no traveler returns. It was in 1889 that he passed
away, while his wife died in 1895.
The schools of Germany afforded to J. P. Tischer good educational privileges.
He had little training, however, in the English language, for since coming
to the new world he has largely been dependent upon his own resources. In
1872 he accompanied his parents to the United States and lived with the family
in Benton county, where he remained until after he had attained adult years.
It was there, on the 8th of March, 1880, that he wedded Miss Margaretha Fries,
a native of Germany, who spent her girlhood days in that country.
Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Tischer began their domestic
life upon a rented farm in Benton county, where they lived for a few years
and in the fall of 1885 came to Clay county, Mr. Tischer here investing his
earnings in eighty acres of land. To this he afterward added another tract of
eighty acres. His original purchase was all raw prairie, which he broke and
fenced. He also built a small house upon it but before this was erected he built
a barn and lived in it for six or seven years until he was able to save enough
to erect his dwelling. Carefully managing his expenses, his industry and his
economy at length enabled him to purchase one hundred and sixty acres in addi-
tion to the land which had previously come into his possession. He added to
the farm modern improvements, including a fine two-story dwelling, also two
good barns and other modern equipments. He divided his place into fields of
convenient size by well kept fences and no longer was the place destitute of
trees, for he set out a grove of beautiful forest trees and also planted an orchard.
Thus year by year he carried on his work upon the home farm of three hundred
and twentv acres until it became one of the valuable farming properties of this
locality. He also invested in one hundred and sixty acres of land in Dickinson
county and the two properties return to him a most gratifying annual income.
He continued to reside upon his farm in Summit township until 1908, when he
removed to Fostoria and purchased a fine residence, which he now occupies.
On the farm he devoted considerable attention to raising and feeding high grade
stock and he likewise became a stockholder in the Fostoria elevator.
Mr. and Mrs. Tischer became the parents of the following children:
George J., who is living on the home farm; Otto C.; J. P.; Emma M.;
Marie A.; Dora A.; Anna C.; and Maggie M. They lost one child,
Laura, in infancy. Both Mr. and Mrs. Tischer are well known in this part
of the state and enjoy the warm regard of all with whom business or social
relations have brought them in contact. Mr. and Mrs. Tischer are both members
of the German Evangelical Lutheran church. In his political views Mr. Tischer
is a democrat but the honors and emoluments of office have had no attraction for
him. He has, however, assisted materially in the growth and development of
the county in many ways and withholds his cooperation from no movement
which he deems will prove of public good. Moreover his life record should
serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others. He is the soul of
business honor and integrity and his energy and industry are the qualities which
have enabled him to overcome the many obstacles and difficulties that he has
confronted. Year by year he has worked diligently for success and as time has
passed his labors have been rewarded by a handsome competence that now
enables him to largely live retired. The most envious cannot grudge him his
success, so worthily has it been won and so honorably used.
Joseph H. Zimmerman, well known as a general merchant and lumber
dealer at Gillett Grove, manifests in his commercial interests the activity and
business enterprise which are characteristic of the age. He was born in Dubuque,
Iowa, December 5, 1867, and is a son of Joseph and Cecelia (Voigt) Zimmerman.
The father was always a lumber man and became one of the best known representatives
of that business on the Mississippi river. He came to America in
1854 and, settling at Dubuque. Iowa, lived there for a time prior to his removal
to Cassville. Wisconsin. He afterward took up his abode at Guttenberg, Iowa,
where he conducted a lumber yard and saw-mill, carrying on the business until
the summer of 1895. He then removed to Dubuque. Iowa, and from there to
Tampa. Florida, and finally to Los Angeles, California, where he died December
6, 1908, at the age of seventy-two years and nine months. His widow still
survives him and is a faithful member of the Catholic church. They were the
parents of eight children, of whom six are living: Rose, now the wife of P. J.
Rogde, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Clara, the wife of John A. Limback, who
is living in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Joseph H., a resident of Gillett Grove, Iowa;
Louise, the wife of Henry C. Charpiot, of Paris, France, who was formerly
French consul at Denver, Colorado; William F., who is living in Tampa, Florida;
and Anna, the wife of Paul Kiene, of Anamosa, Iowa.
Joseph H. Zimmerman spent the greater part of his boyhood at Guttenberg,
Iowa, and attended the parochial and public schools, thus acquiring his
elementary education which was supplemented by study in the University at
Fayette, Iowa. He afterward worked for his father, going upon the road as a
lumber salesman. Later he engaged in the lumber business on his own account
at Cedar Rapids for several years, after which he sold out and again went upon
the road, but still maintained his residence at Cedar Rapids. At the time of the
outbreak of the war with Spain, however, he put aside all business and personal
considerations and joined the American volunteers.
In 1899 Mr. Zimmerman established his home in Clay county, Iowa, becoming
manager for the W. J. Bruce Lumber Company at Gillett Grove. The
next spring he opened the first general store at Gillett Grove and afterward
established a lumber yard of his own. He is conducting both lines of business
at the present time. Mr. Zimmerman became the first postmaster here and so
continues to the present. He is an energetic, enterprising business man. He
knows that determination and energy will overcome many difificulties and
obstacles and by reason of his earnests, persistent labor is winning his success.
On the 4th of October, 1890, Mr. Zimmerman was married to Miss Anna
C. Hagensick, of McGregor, Iowa, a daughter of John L. and Magdaline
(Thoma) Hagensick. Her paternal grandparents were Christoph and Maria
Hagensick, the. former a native of Germany. Attracted by the opportunities of
the new world, he came to the United States and his last days were spent in
Clayton county, Iowa, where he died at the age of eighty-four years. His wife
was seventy-four years of age when she passed away. The maternal grandfather
of Mrs. Zimmerman was Paulus Thoma who, after coming, to America,
established his home in Clayton county, Iowa, where he died at the age of
eighty-three years. He had long survived his wife, who died at the age of
forty-nine years. The parents of Mrs. Zimmerman were natives of Bavaria,
Germany, but were married after coming to the United States. As stated, both
families settled in Clayton county, Iowa, and Mr. Hagensick worked for twelve
dollars a year while Mrs. Hagensick was employed for fifty cents a week. As
the years passed, however, they prospered and are now residents of McGregor,
Iowa. Her father was appointed to the command of a company in the Civil
war but hostilities were brought to a close and he did no active duty at the front.
Unto him and his wife were born eight children, of whom six are now living:
Louise, the wife of J. F. Proffitt, of Hastings, Nebraska: Anna C, now Mrs.
Zimmerman; John, who is living in North McGregor, Iowa; William, whose
home is in McGregor, Iowa; Leonora, the wife of F. L. Becker, of McGregor;
and Victor, whose home is in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The eldest son Louis,
and George, the third child, are both deceased.
Mrs. Zimmerman was born in Clayton Center, Clayton county, Iowa, and
by her marriage became the mother of three children: Madeline, who was born
in Guttenberg, Iowa; Cecelia, whose birth occurred at Gillett Grove, Iowa;
and one who died in infancy. Mrs. Zimmerman is a member of the Lutheran
church and Mr. Zimmerman belongs to the Masonic lodge at Guttenberg and
the Chapter at Elkader, Iowa. He also holds membership with the Elks at
Estherville, Iowa, while his political allegiance is given to the republican party.
His life has been preeminently that of a business man and he is now well known
in commercial circles in this county. His enterprise largely developed the
thriving little village of Gillett and he now has a liberal patronage drawn from
the town and surrounding country. His customers find him an obliging,
energetic man in business and alert at all times.
General farming and stock-raising command the attention of George W.
Mills, who cultivates a large tract of land in Clay county and who has met with
such splendid success in his business undertakings as to become quite an
influential factor in financial circles, having interests in the bank and elevator at
Gilletts Grove and also in the creamery at Greenville. His birth occurred in
Lafayette county, Wisconsin, in 1865, a son of Samuel and Nancy (Emery)
Mills, natives of Pennsylvania, who, about the year 1844, settled in Wisconsin,
where they resided until they moved to this county in the spring of 1870,
locating in Herdland township, on section 32, where they purchased land for
four dollars an acre. The paternal grandparents of George W. Mills are
supposed to have been of German and Welsh extraction, while his maternal
grandparents were of Dutch and Irish lineage, although the records not having
been preserved little is known of the ancestors on either side of the house.
However, his father, who was born April 22, 1817, departed this life February
5, 1902, while his mother, whose birth occurred February 5, 1818, entered into
rest January 18, 1901. In their family were the following children: Jessie E.,
born September 16. 1842; John P., born January 11, 1845, and a resident of
Spencer, this county; Samuel W., whose birth occurred March 5, 1846, and who
lives in Dakota; Edward J., of this county, born July 5, 1850; Lewis E., who
passed away in infancy; Charles W., who was born July 15, 1852, and resides
at Gilletts Grove; Anna A., who was born February 18, 1856, and who departed
this life October 10, 1879; Margaret, who passed away in childhood; Nancy
D., born December 31, i860, and a resident of St. Paul, Minnesota, and George W.
George W. Mills spent his boyhood days amid farm surroundings, during
the summer months devoting his time to agricultural duties and in the winter
time acquiring his education in the district schools, and at the age of twenty-
two years he began the occupation of husbandry for himself on part of the home
place. He has resided on his present farm since March 17, 1892, and he now
owns two hundred acres of rich land, all of which is under cultivation. In
addition to having a number of fields which he devotes to raising hay and the
various grains he also keeps a number of acres of excellent pasture land which
he uses for stock feeding. He engages in the full round of farming pursuits,
making somewhat of a specialty of stock breeding. He has been successful
in his undertakings and his industrious habits have enabled him to accumulate
considerable means with which to became interested more largely in the business
world, and aside from being financially concerned in the bank and elevator at
Gilletts Grove he also owns stock in the creamery at Greenville.
On December 23, 1889, Mr. Mills wedded Miss Tillie Johnson, a daughter
of Jonas and Rebecca Johnson, natives of Norway. To Mr. and Mrs. Mills
have been born five children: Agnes R., whose birth occurred October 31,
1890; Samuel J., born September 13, 1892; Harry R., born January 14, 1895;
Hazel B., born June 5, 1898; and Guy, whose birth occurred July 22, 1901.
Their mother entered into rest August 6, 1901, and on the 1st of June, 1902,
Mr. Mills was united in marriage to Miss Dora Brallier, daughter of David and
Sarah ( Long) Brallier, natives of Ohio, who settled in Indiana at an early date.
By his second wife Mr. Mills has four children: Beulah, whose birth occurred
March 31, 1903; Clarence D., born July 19, 1905; Florence M., who is in her
second year; and Donald, whose birth occurred July 12, 1908.
Mr. Mills is a stanch republican who is unswerving in his allegiance to his
party and is always in evidence during campaigns to exert his influence in
behalf of his favorite candidates. He is a progressive and wide-awake farmer,
always on the alert for and ready to incorporate in his business modern methods,
and his industry and enterprise have not only enabled him to attain prosperity
but have won him a high place in the respect and confidence of his neighbors.
When the complete history of Clay county and its prominent men shall
have been written, it will contain no more creditable or worthy record than that
of Asa F. McConnell who, for years, has been a loyal, public official and who in
business affairs has always adhered closely to straightforward and commendable
principles whereby he has won the unqualified regard and confidence of his
fellowmen. He was born in Livingston county, New York, February 18. 1844.
His father, Daniel McConnell, was a native of Ireland and was a distiller by
trade, but followed the occupation of farming during the greater part of his
life. When nineteen years of age he bade adieu to friends and native land and
sailed for the new world, for he believed that better business opportunities might
be secured in the United Statss. He located first at Geneseo, New York, where
for several years he worked at his trade. He then removed westward in 1846,
becoming a resident of Wisconsin, and took up his abode in the town of Wiota,
Lafayette county, where he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land
and engaged in farming. He then bent his energies to the development and
improvement of the place, brought its fields under a high state of cultivation and
continued to till the soil there for a long period. He retained his residence upon
that farm until his death, which occurred when he was seventy-seven years of
age, while his wife passed away at the age of eighty-three years. He was a .
Universalist in religious faith, while his wife was an advocate of the Unitarian
belief. She bore the maiden name of Betsey Bennett, and was a native of
Connecticut. By her marriage she became the mother of thirteen children:
Mary, the deceased wife of Daniel Flannigan; Dennis, who has passed away;
Jane, the deceased wife of Elmer Russell; Elizabeth, who became the wife of
John Monahan, and is now deceased; Sarah, the deceased wife of John
Flannigan; Asa F., of this review; Anna, the wife of Jesse Anderson of Seward,
Nebraska; Daniel, who is living in Darlington, Wisconsin; William Henry,
Elmore and Frank J., who are also residents of Darlington; and two who died
in infancy.
Asa F. McConnell was reared to farm life in Lafayette county, Wisconsin,
spending his boyhood days in his parents' home, while his time was divided
between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the
work of the fields. He lived at home until 1862. when at the age of eighteen
years he responded to the country's call for aid and joined Company B of the
Twenty-third Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, remaining with that command
until honorably discharged on the 4th of July, 1865. He enlisted as a private
and held the rank of sergeant when mustered out. At the battle of Arkansas
Post on the 11th of January, 1863, he was wounded. He saw much arduous
service, participating in the siege of Vicksburg, the battle of Spanish Fort and
Fort Blakely, the capture of Mobile and the battles of Jackson and Carion Crow
Bayou. At the last named he was taken prisoner, but on the 25th of December,
1863, was paroled and in June, 1864, was exchanged. He was also in a number
of skirmishes and became familiar with all of the experiences and hardships
of rigorous warfare, and unfalteringly defended the old flag and the things
which it represented.
When the war was over Mr. McConnell returned home to Wisconsin, where
he followed farming and threshing until the spring of 1869. In that year he
came to Iowa and settled on a farm in Lincoln township, securing a homestead
claim of eighty acres. This he cultivated for a time, but eventually sold out
and bought a farm of eighty acres in Gillett Grove township. He then sold
that property and invested in two hundred and sixteen acres, which he continued
to improve until 1882. Putting aside the duties of agricultural life he
removed to Spencer and for a time was employed in the lumber yard of Weller.
while subsequently he spent three years with the firm of Phelps & Verharen in
the agricultural implement business. He next established a real estate and
insurance business on his own account and now handles much property annually,
holds considerable insurance and also deals in live stock. His triple interests
are returning to him a gratifying income and his enterprise, diligence and
determination have carried him into the ranks of the successful business men of
Spencer.
On the 28th of January, 1872, Mr. McConnell was joined in wedlock to
Miss Julia Bridgman, a daughter of John H. and Rhoda (Cone) Bridgman.
There were five children born of that union, of whom three are now living.
The eldest, Carrie L., became the wife of E. L. Kinnan and died, leaving one
son, Robert Mack Kinnan. The youngest child of the family died in infancy.
Ihe others are: Minnie B., the wife of Frank L. Broadgate, a resident of
Washington, Iowa; Edna L. J., the wife of A. L. Peterson, of Centuria,
Wisconsin, by whom she has two children; and Daisy Clare, who is a teacher in
the schools of Minneapolis. Mrs. McConnell is a member of the Free Baptist
church. Mr. McConnell's membership relations are with Evening Shade Lodge,
No. 312, A. F. & A. M., Spencer Lodge, No. 247, I. O. O. F.. and Annett Post
No. 124, G. A. R., while both he and his wife are connected with the Eastern
Star and the Rebekah Lodge. Mr. McConnell gives his political allegiance to
the republican party and has filled various offices to wdiich he has been called
by the vote of his fellow townsmen, who recognize his unfaltering devotion to
duty. He was assessor of Lincoln township for two terms, assessor of Gillett
Grove township for two terms, and secretary of the school board in Gillett
Grove and Spencer township. He was likewise a member of the county board
of supervisors for ten years, and for eight years a member of the city council,
exercising his official prerogative in support of many progressive movements in
Spencer. He is likewise justice of the peace, having served in that position
for four years. Almost continuously he has served in public office and there
has been nothing in his entire official record that has deserved public criticism.
On the contrary he is most devoted to the general welfare and stands at all times
far those interests which are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride.
John Riley, a respected and worthy resident of Spencer, now living retired
after former close connection with farming interests, was born in New York
city, June 26, 1832. He is the youngest of a family of four children, the others
being James, Katharine and Margaret Riley. Their parents were Peter and
Katharine (Morgan) Riley, both natives of Dublin, Ireland, and the former was
a son of James Riley, a farmer, who spent his last years in county Dublin,
Ireland. Peter Riley devoted much of his life to shipping stock. He came to
America more than a century ago and established his home in New York city,
making shipments of stock from adjoining states to the eastern metropolis.
There he died in November, 1848, when he was sixty years of age.
John Riley lived in New York city until seventeen years of age and acquired
his early education there. He afterward took up farm work in Massachusetts,
being thus engaged in Berkshire county until after the outbreak of the Civil
war, when he joined Company C, Twelfth Illinois Cavalry, and served with the
army until the cessation of hostilities, holding the rank of sergeant.
The fact that he was a member of an Illinois regiment indicates that he had
previously removed to the west. The year 1857 witnessed his arrival in the
Mississippi valley, at which time he took up his abode in DuPage county, Illinois,
and when his country no longer needed his aid, he returned to that county and
worked for the XNrthwestern Railroad Company in its rolling mills for four or
five years. In 1878 he removed to Clay county, Iowa, and invested his earnings
in two hundred acres of land in Meadow township. He devoted his attention
to farming there for some years and also bought eighty acres in Summit township,
but after ten years given to general agricultural pursuits he retired from
farm life about 1888.
In 1856 Mr. Rilev wedded Miss Ellen Donlan, who was born in county
Galway, Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Riley had a family of two sons and two
daughters. James, who is now living on the old homestead, married Ella
Austin and has two sons, Claude and Clayton. Frank, residing in Fostoria,
where he is engaged in buying cattle and hogs, married Sarah Hutchinson and
has two children, Wilfred and Ellen. Kate is the wife of A. J. Livingston of
Spencer. Mary, who completes the family, is the present county superintendent
of schools. The wife and mother died on Christmas day of 1889. She was a
communicant of the Roman Catholic church, to which Mr. Riley also belongs.
He is also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He served as school
director while living in the country, and the cause of education has found in him
a warm and sincere champion. He is well known in the county and also in
Spencer, where for more than twenty-one years he has made his home, being
one of the respected and valued residents of the community.
On the opposite page appears the portrait of Ira Atwood, one of the venerable
citizens of the county, who has now passed the eighty-second milestone on life's
journey. This picture was taken in front of the family cottage at Lake Okiboji
and will be a matter of interest to many of our readers who have long, known and
highly esteemed Mr. Atwood. He receives the veneration and respect which
should ever be accorded one of advanced years whose life has been in large measure
an exemplification of all that is praiseworthy in man's relation to his fellowmen
and to the community in which he resides. Mr. Atwood now makes his home
with his son, L. L. Atwood, near Langdon. Iowa. He was born near London, in
the province of Ontario, Canada, January 19, 1827, and his youthful days were
spent upon a farm, where he early became familiar with the duties and labors that
fall to the lot of the agriculturist. His educational opportunities were limited to
3 period of three months' study in the winter season, while the remainder of the
year was given to the labors of the fields, and practical training well equipped him
for his duties in this connection. At the age of sixteen years he began earning
his own livelihood by working as a farm hand at a salary of six dollars per month,
his employment continuing for three years. During that period he saved his earnings
until he felt justified in purchasing a farm and invested in a tract of land
about three miles from his father's place. With characteristic energy and industry
he began the development of the farm and transformed the land into productive
fields from which he gathered good harvests. Thinking, however, to enjoy better
business opportunities in the United States he sold his property in Canada in 1849
and made an overland trip with a team and wagon to Winnebago county, Illinois,
accompanied by his wife and two children. His team and twenty-five dollars in
Picture of IRA ATWOOD
money constituted his worldly possessions when he reached Rockford, Illinois.
For three years he engaged in teaming between Rockford and Elgin, working
for one dollar per day. He then purchased a farm, which was but slightly
improved, and for fifty-three years he made his home upon that place. The rich
soil responded readily to the care and labor which he bestowed upon it, the early
spring planting and the cultivation of the summer months being followed by
golden harvests in the late autumn. His business affairs were capably managed
and his unfaltering industry enabled him to accunuilate a comfortable little
fortune as the years passed by. He became the owner of several hundred acres of
land and his life thus indicated what may be accomplished if one has perseverance
and diligence as the salient points in their business record.
Mr. Atwood was married to Miss Harriet Lavina McPherson, who was born
July 14, 1820, and died February 20, 1900, while visiting in Estherville, Iowa.
She was a lifelong member of the Methodist Episcopal church and an earnest
Christian woman, who merited and enjoyed the friendship and good will of all
with whom she came in contact. By her marriage she became the mother of ten
children and the family is notable in that all are yet living. The sons and
daughters are as follows: Harriet, now the wife of L. C. Runyan, of Langdon,
Iowa; Mary A., the widow of Francis Wilson; Eliza L., who is the widow of
Sylvester W. Chandler; Ira J., who married Hattie Austin and resides in Wisconsin;
Marshal W., who wedded Carrie M. Tyndall and is living in Pasadena,
California; Enoch, who married Cora Cooper and makes his home in St. Charles,
Illinois; L. L., who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume; Martha, the wife of
John Whittaker, of Sioux City, Iowa; Cyrus F., who married Abbie Elliott and
is living in Fargo, North Dakota; and Anna, the wife of Professor Francis
Brumblecom, a teacher in the public schools of Chicago. Mr. Atwood has every
reason to be proud of this large family of sons and daughters, while they have
become men and women of the highest respectability and are highly esteemed in
the various communities where they reside. All are members of the Methodist
Episcopal church, with the exception of Enoch Atwood, who belongs to the
Congregational church. In politics Mr. Atwood has been a stalwart republican
since the organiaztion (sic) of the party, and from the age of nine years he has been
a devoted, zealous and faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church,
shaping his life by its teachings so that his has been an honorable and upright
manhood, winning for him at all times the respect and good will of those with
whom he has come in contact. Today at the age of eighty-two years he is comfortably
situated in life, enjoying well earned rest, which has been secured through
his intelligently directed activity in former years.
On a well improved farm on section 8, Sioux township, resides Theodore
L. Olson, and he is justly accounted one of the leading stock buyers, feeders
and shippers of Clay county, having engaged in that business since he became a
resident of the county in 1900. He owns and cultivates an excellent farm
adjoining the corporation limits of Spencer. He has two hundred and forty
acres of well improved and valuable land in Sioux township, of which eighty
acres is in the home place and one hundred and sixty acres on section 17. He
also owns a quarter section in Riverton township.
Clay county may well be proud to number Mr. Olson among her citizens.
He is a native son of the state, his birth having occurred in Iowa county on the
22d of January, 1863. His father. Lars Olson, was a native of Norway, and
came to the new world in 1854, at which time he established his home in Illinois.
Four years later he removed westward to Iowa and took up his abode in Iowa
county, where he secured a new farm, entering the land from the government.
It was entirely destitute of improvements and he turned the first furrow upon
the place and built the first rod of fence. In the course of time he converted the
wild land into arable fields, from which he annually gathered good harvests as
the reward of his persistent labor in plowing, planting and harvesting. Upon
his farm he reared his family and continued to make it his place of residence
until his death.
Theodore L. Olson was reared upon a farm and was early trained to the
work of the fields, remaining with his father until twenty-one years of age,
after which he began farming on his own account. His entire life has been
given to agricultural pursuits and stock raising, and his close application and
unfaltering energy have constituted strong features in his success.
As a companion and helpmate on life's journey, Mr. Olson chose Miss
Julia Faltonson, whom he wedded on the 6th of March, 1890. She is a native
of Iowa county and was there reared and married. The young couple began
their domestic life there, and in addition to cultivating the fields, Mr. Olson
also took up the work of buying, feeding and shipping stock. He continued
his residence in Iowa county until 1900, when he sold his property there and
removed to Clay county, making investments in a farm in Riverton township.
He located in Spencer, however, and from that point carried on his farming
interests. In 1902 he purchased the place upon which he resides, adjoining the
corporation limits of the town, and has since erected here an attractive two-story
residence, built in modern style of architecture and equipped with modern
conveniences. Upon the place is also a commodious barn and substantial outbuildings,
furnishing ample shelter for grain, stock and farm implements. He uses
the latest improved machinery in carrying on the work of the fields, but his
live-stock interests constitute the chief feature in his business. He buys and
feeds various kinds of live-stock and now has two hundred head of cattle and
about three hundred head of hogs on his place. He is one of the most extensive
feeders and shippers of this part of the state and also ships large numbers of
cattle and hogs which have been fed by others, his shipments in 1908 amounting
to about sixty carloads. He is, moreover, a stockholder and director in the
Farmers Elevator of Spencer, and his business judgment is regarded as
thoroughly reliable and commendably conservative.
Mr. and Mrs. Olson are parents of three children, Lillian, Fern and Gladys.
The eldest is now a student in the Spencer high school. They also lost a son
in infancy. The parents were reared in the Lutheran faith, but since they came
to Spencer they have become members of the Congregational church. Mr.
Olson gives his political allegiance to the democracy, of which he is a stanch
advocate, but he has never had time for office, even had he inclination to seek
political preferment. He is one of the well known live stock dealers of the
county and is a carefnl, prudent business man who enjoys and merits the
confidence and esteem of the entire community.
In the common schools of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. John H.
Snyder acquired his early education, later attending school in Keokuk county,
this state, in the meantime passing through every experience common to the
country lad. Upon completing his studies he remained under the parental roof,
performing his daily routine on the farm, until he was twenty-five years of age,
at which period of his life, being ambitious to become independent, he took up
farming in Keokuk county and pursued the occupation successfully for some
time, when he crossed the plains to the state of California and settled in Santa
Rosa. There he drove a team, for fifteen months and upon finding that the
Golden state had nothing in the line of opportunity for him he returned to Iowa
and located in O'Brien county. He remained there for one year, at the termination
of which time, in the year 1883, he came to this county and settled on a
farm in Clay township. He then applied himself with zeal to tilling the soil
and from year to year his bountiful harvests enabled him to extend his holdings
until now he possesses two hundred and forty acres of land in section 20, the
greater part of which is improved and under cultivation; one hundred and sixty
acres in section 36 of Lone Tree township, and two hundred acres in O'Brien
county, all well-improved farms.
In 1875 Mr. Snyder wedded Miss Almira Darden, a native of Keokuk
county, to which union were born Lillie Belle, deceased, and Homer S., in the
automobile business in Royal, Iowa. Politically Mr. Snyder supports the
republican partv and among the useful offices which he has rendered the township
is that of school director, in which capacity he served efficiently for a
number of years. He and his wife are members of the Free Methodist church.
Mr. Snyder is one of the most prominent men in the financial circles of the
county and is held in high esteem for his honesty, being numbered among the
county's most substantial citizens.
G. H. Schueneman, living on section 16, Summit township, has been a resident
of the county from the age of fifteen years, and is one of the public-spirited
citizens whose loyalty to the general good has been manifested in active and
faithful service in various township offices, to which he has been called by the
vote of his fellow townsmen, who regard him as a worthy and patriotic citizen.
In his business relations he is well known as the owner of the Summit Center
Stock Farm, which comprises three hundred and twenty acres of the rich land
for which Clay county is famous. He was born in Pommern, Germany, on the
11th of March, 1867. His father, William Schueneman, was also a native of that
country and there spent his boyhood days. After arriving at years of maturity
he wedded Louisa Scheel, who was likewise born in the fatherland. In the year
1882 they crossed the Atlantic to the United States and became residents of
Clay county, where the father secured one hundred and sixty acres of wild and
unimproved land. With characteristic determination and energy he began breaking
the sod and continued the cultivation of his farm until he transformed the
once wild tract into one of the fine farms of the locality, its rich fields responding
readily to the care and labor which he bestowed upon them. He spent his last
years here and died July 25, 1908. His widow still survives him.
G. H. Schueneman spent the first fifteen years of his life in the land of
his nativity and then accompanied his parents on the long voyage across the
Atlantic to become a resident of Clay county, where he has since made his home.
He aided in opening up and developing the farm, for he remained with his
father until his marriage and was busily employed in the work of the fields.
On the 30th of November, 1899, in Meadow township, Mr. Schueneman
was married to Miss Minnie Kaus, a native of Iowa, although of German
parentage. Prior to his marriage Mr. Schueneman had purchased two eighty
acre tracts of land adjoining his father, and has since cultivated the three
hundred and twenty acres. He has also rented one hundred and sixty acres
more, and thus has been busily engaged in farming, every moment occupied
with his duties in the development and improvement of the property. Annually
he gathers large crops of corn and other cereals and he also raises high-grade
cattle, having some fine pure-blooded registered cattle on his place. He makes
a specialty of the Aberdeen Angus, and he also raises pure-blooded Chester
White hogs. He has likewise extended his business interests to become a stock-
holder in the elevator and the creamery at Fostoria. also the Farmers' Elevator
at Spencer and the Northern Rural Telephone Compauy. In all of his business
affairs his judgment is sound, his sagacity keen and his enterprise unfaltering.
Mr. and Mrs. Schueneman have become the parents of three daughters,
Elsie, Esther and Lila, who are with their father and mother on the home farm.
In politics Mr. Schueneman is a republican and soon after attaining his majority
he was elected road supervisor and also a member of the school board. He is
now serving as assessor, which position he has filled for eight years, while in
1908 he was re-elected for another term of two years. He has likewise been
township treasurer, having been called to this office prior to his marriage, while
by re-election he has been retained as a constant member of the township board.
He has likewise served as a delegate to various county conventions and has
done not a little in shaping the policy and molding the destiny of the party in
this locality. Both he and his wife are members of the German Lutheran church,
in which they were reared and to which they have always been loyal. Mr.
Schueneman is interested in everything pertaining to the welfare of the
community, being heartily in sympathy with the movements for its material, political,
intellectual and moral progress.
There is always a measure of satisfaction in noting the progress made by
self-reliant characters, men who, not depending upon higher educational advantages
nor upon assistance from others, but rather upon their own resources, push
onward with patience and perseverance, guided by a fixed purpose which they
finally reach, and the attainment of which brings him to a place of affluence.
Such careers are possible in every walk of life, and it makes no difference what
vocation one follows, if he desires success and expects to accomplish it he must
be possessed of certain qualifications, without which he will eventually prove a
failure in anything he may undertake — these qualifications are willingness to
work, patience and perseverance. A career fraught with these elements of character
is that of C. B. Jones, who by unremitting energy and careful management
is now in possession of one of the finest farms in Logan township, Clay county,
on which for many years he has been producing excellent crops and engaging
in stock raising.
Mr. Jones was born in Clay county, Indiana, November 29, 1852, and is
a son of David and Lucinda (Dyer) Jones. His father, who served as a captain
throughout the Mexican war, was a native of Kentucky, and when a small boy
located in Clay county, Indiana, where he owned an extensive tract of land,
which he kept under a high, state of cultivation, until he retired to enjoy the
fruits of his long years of honest toil. He and his wife are now living in
Cahfornia. Mrs. Jones is a native of North Carolina, but they were united in
marriage in Indiana. They reared a family of thirteen children, namely: Mary
Elizabeth, wife of A. R. Esterbrook, an agriculturist whose farm is near
Kingsburg, California; Lisha, who became the wife of John Barnhart, who is
proprietor of a large farm in Monmouth, California; Redmond, who is an
agriculturist residing near Clayton, Washington; Allen and Jane, twins, the former
operating a farm in Boone county, Iowa, while the latter is the wife of L. K.
Hurley, who is engaged in general farming near Kingsburg. California; Debias,
a prominent contractor and builder of Walla, Oregon; Etta, wife of J. R.
Haskell, residing on a farm near Kingsburg, California; Annie, who became
the wife of Fred Guy, a conductor on the North Western Railroad; John, who
resides with his father in California; Maggie, who was united in marriage to
Dell Richardson, an agriculturist of Pueblo, Colorado; Jefferson, who operates
a farm in Clayton, Washington; Lucy, wife of Francis Gipsen, who resides on a
farm in Laton, California; and C. B.
In the common schools of Boone county, Iowa, C. B. Jones acquired his education,
in the meantime working on his father's farm where, after completing his
studies, he remained until he was twenty-eight years of age, when he began
farming for himself in Humboldt county and remained there until 1893. He
then located in Logan township, Clay county, Iowa, where he owns one hundred
and sixty acres of land on section 25, which he has supplied with all modern
improvements. He has a comfortable residence, all the necessary outbuildings
for the shelter of grain and stock, and modern machinery to facilitate the work
of the fields. Mr. Jones may well be proud of his farm, which is one of the
neatest and best kept in the township, the fields responding to his care and labor
in rich and abundant harvests.
In 1892 Mr. Jones wedded Miss Lizzie Dean, a native of Dakota City,
Humboldt county, Iowa, and to this union were born three children: Welcome
C, Pearl Marie and Bernell Victor. In politics Mr. Jones supports the
democratic party and for fourteen years served the township as trustee. He has
also officiated as school director, and the cause of education finds in him a firm
friend. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of
which they are liberal supporters and active workers. Mr. Jones is an Odd
Fellow and he and his wife belong to the Rebekah lodge, meeting in Ayrshire.
He has always maintained a straightforward and upright walk which has won
him the confidence and good will of the entire community.
While John S. Shriver has been a resident of Clay county only a comparatively
brief period, the time has been sufficient to demonstrate to his fellow
citizens the fact that he is a man of sterling worth and good business capacity.
He is now living on section 10, Riverton township, where he owns one hundred
and sixty acres of land within three miles of Spencer. His life record began
in Noble county, Ohio, July 31, 1850, and there he was reared to the age of
sixteen years. He was the second in a family of four sons and two daughters
and, like the other members of the household, shared in the ditfferent tasks of
the home farm as his age and strength permitted. His father, Michael Shriver,
also a native of Noble county, spent the days of his boyhood and youth there
and was married in that county to Miss Mary Hughes, likewise a native of the
Buckeye state. They began their domestic life in Ohio and continued to reside
upon a farm there until 1867, when they removed westward to Iowa, settling
in Iowa county, where the father purchased land and developed a farm. He
has become one of the most prosperous agriculturists of the community and is
now the owner of seven hundred and thirty-three acres in his home place near
Marengo, while elsewhere he has three or four hundred acres. He is classed
as one of the leading representative and honored agriculturists of the state and
is still giving personal supervision to his farming interests, although now more
than eighty years of age.
After the removal of the family to Iowa, John S. Shriver assisted his father
in opening up the home farm in Iowa county. He aided in the arduous tasks of
turning the first furrows and in planting and harvesting the first crops. He early
learned the value of diligence, perseverance and unabating energy, and these
qualities have characterized him throughout his entire life and gained for him
the substantial position which he now fills in connection with the agricultural life
of Clay county.
On the 2d of July, 1876, in Iowa county, Mr. Shriver was married to Miss
Caroline Cheney, who was born and reared in that county. They began their
domestic life on a part of his father's farm, which Mr. Shriver continued to
cultivate for several years, after which, with the capital that he had saved from
his earnings, he purchased a small farm which he cultivated until 1900. In
that year he removed to Clay county and bought the farm on section 10, Riverton
township, on which he now resides. With characteristic energy he began its
further development and improvement, set out a grove, also planted fruit trees
and has in other ways carried on the work of general development, until now
the fields return to him golden harvests, while his live-stock interests are also
a profitable source of income. He both raises and feeds stock, and is well
known in this connection. Moreover, he is a stockholder in the Farmers' Elevator
of Spencer. While living in Iowa county Mr. Shriver lost his first wife,
who died leaving two sons: W. W., who is married and is now connected with
telephone interests in Des Moines; and Lloyd E., who is married and resides
in Spencer. On the 1st of June, 1886, in Greene county, Iowa, Mr. Shriver
married his present wife, who bore the maiden name of Rosa Coil and was reared
and educated in that county. There are four living children of this marriage:
Amos F., who assists in carrying on the home farm; Michael R., John C. and
George W., who are also under the parental roof. They lost their first-born, a
son, in infancy. Elmer Shriver, a brother of John Shriver, married Miss Anna
Coil, a sister of his brother's wife, and they reside in Jefferson, Iowa.
While Mr. Shriver has never been an office seeker nor has he desired political
preferment, he has always given his allegiance to the democracy and has firm
faith in its principles. Iowa has ever found in him a representative and pro-
gressive citizen, who has made good use of his opportunities, and as the years
have gone by has prospered as the result of his unfaltering industry. In business
relations he is found to be reliable and straightforward, while those who meet
him socially entertain for him warm regard as the result of his appreciation for
true friendship and all that the term implies.
Not all who take up the work of the farm meet with success. There arc certain
indispensable elements, including industry, perseverance and good judgment,
to tell the individual when is the best time of planting and what are the best methods
of caring for the crops. Mr. Brusie seems to possess all the essential elements
of success in agricultural lines, for he is now one of the substantial and
prosperous farmers of Riverton township. A glance at his place at once indicates
to the passerby that his methods are practical and progressive. His farm
presents a most attractive appearance, for the greater part of the land is under
a high state of cultivation and gives promise of golden harvests in the autumn.
Here he own and cultivates three hundred and thirty-five acres, upon which he
has lived since 1903. A native of Illinois, he was born in Peoria county,
January 21, 1859, and was reared there on the home farm. He had no special
advantages in his youth, save that after attending the district schools he had
the opportunity of attending the Peoria Normal. Later he became a farmer
in Peoria county and his early practical training now stood him in good stead.
In his youthful days he was of much assistance to his father, William Brusie,
who was then numbered among the wide-awake and energetic farmers of
Illinois. He was born in New York, however, and spent his youthful days in
the Empire state, where he married Elizabeth Shaw, a native of Massachusetts.
On removing westward the Brusies cast in their lots among the early settlers
of Peoria county, Illinois, where William Brusie secured a tract of wild land
and opened up a new farm. Upon that place he reared his family and spent his
remaining days. He had two sons and five daughters: Charles, who is now
living at Ossinning, New York; Abbie, the wife of D. L. Hawley, of Oklahoma;
Elizabeth, the wife of J. T. Hornie, of Ohio; Mrs. Susan O'Shaughnessy, a
widow living in New York with her brother; Martha, the wife of F. Hcrton,
of Asheville, North Carolina; and Ida, a teacher in Adair, Iowa.
Frank Brusie spent his boyhood days on his father's farm and after he
attained his maturity he chose as a companion and helpmate for life's journey
Miss Ida Rogers, who was born and reared in Peoria county, and there gave to
him her hand in marriage on the 28th of March, 1888. He continued farming
in his native state and afterward purchased a tract of land near Carthage,
Hancock county, Illinois, becoming owner of one hundred and eighty-eight acres
which he cultivated for four years. He then sold out at a good profit and
bought his present farm on section 4, Riverton township. He took up his abode
thereon and now has a valuable property of three hundred and thirty-five acres,
which he began to fence and improve. He also made new repairs, secured
modern farm machinery to facilitate the work of the fields, and planted the
crops best adapted to soil and climate. His rich harvests bring to him a good
financial return, which is further supplemented by the profit that he gets from
his stock raising. He has made a specialty of raising and feeding hogs, and
his annual sales are quite extensive. Moreover, he is a stockholder in the
Farmers' Elevator at Spencer, and his various business interests are bringing
to him a substantial return.
Mr. and Mrs. Brusie are now the parents of four sons and two daughters:
Elwood, who is on the home farm; Esther, a student in the Spencer high school;
Forest; Walter; Marie; and Ralph. Mrs. Brusie is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church. Mr. Brusie votes with the republican party, having supported
each presidential nominee since casting his first ballot for James A.
Garfield. He is connected with the Modern Woodmen, and his son also belongs
to the same camp. He is now numbered among the active and prosperous
farmers and stock raisers of the county, and is a public-spirited citizen, imbued
with energy and diligence in all that he undertakes. His success is well merited,
as it has come to him as the reward of his labor.
Christian Crone, living in Webb, has resided in this part of Iowa since
pioneer times and has not only been a witness of the growth and progress that
has transformed this into a populous and prosperous region, but has borne his
full share in the work of general development and improvement. As the years
have gone by his unwearied industry has enabled him to make considerable
investment in property and the rise in values has made him one of the substantial
citizens of this part of the state. He now lives in Webb and from this point
superintends his interests. He was born in Alsace, France, December 23, 1839,
a son of John and Christina (Hartman) Crone, who were also natives of the
same country. The mother was a daughter of John and Catherine Hartman,
who likewise lived in the same section of France. Both John and Christina
Crone spent their entire lives in the place of their nativity, the father there
passing away in 1868 when sixty-three years of age, while his wife died when
her son Christian was but three months old, her death occurring in March, 1840.
In his native province of Alsace, Mr. Crone, of this review, spent the days
of his boyhood and youth and at the age of twenty-one years left his home to
cross the sea to America. After landing in this country he made his way to
Walworth county, Wisconsin, his brother John having located in that state on
coming to the new world about seven years before. Seeking employment, Mr.
Crone obtained work as a farm hand and was thus engaged until 1861, when
he enlisted in defense of his adopted country, espousing the Union cause as a
member of Company C, Thirteenth Regiment of Wisconsin Volunteers. The
command was assigned to the Western Army and Mr. Crone, who enlisted at
Sharon, Wisconsin, was mustered in at Janesville. The regiment was afterward
ordered to Kansas and for two weeks was stationed at Leavenworth, from which
point it was ordered to Mexico. When the regiment had proceeded as far
as Fort Riley the order came for it to cross the plains, but later the order was
countermanded and the regiment was sent to Columbus, Kentucky, where it
remained a short time, then went to Moscow and on to Fort Donelson, where
it remained about six months. From that point the command was sent to
Nashville, Tennessee, and on to Claysville, Alabama, where it remained several
months or until Hood marched against Nashville for the second time. The
Thirteenth Wisconsin was then ordered to Stevenson, Alabama, and after the
battle there was sent to Huntsville, Alabama, and then returned to Claysville,
where it remained some time, or until about the close of the war. At that time
Mr. Crone was driving a team and was ordered to Texas. This was in the
early spring of 1865 and on the 22d of June of the same year he was mustered
out. His first term of service having expired, he had re-enlisted at Nashville
and was at the front for four years. He made a splendid military record, never
faltering in the performance of any duty that was assigned him.
After being discharged from the army Mr. Crone returned to his home in
Walworth county, Wisconsin, but two weeks later started for Iowa. He worked
for a short time in Illinois and then made his way on to Blackhawk county,
Iowa, where he remained about six months. On the expiration of that period
he went to Marshalltown, Iowa, where he spent about half a year and later made
his way to Ackley, and resided there six months, returning thence to Blackhawk
county. It was in that county that Mr. Crone was united in marriage to Miss
Jane Knowl, a daughter of Valentine and Elizabeth (Bachman) Knowl, natives
of Germany, and of Pennsylvania respectively. The father came to America
when a young man in about the year 1855 and located in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Some years later he removed westward to Dubuque, Iowa, and after a
short stay there became a resident of Blackhawk county. He eventually took
up his abode in Hamilton county, Iowa, where he spent the remainder of his
days. In the Knowl family were twelve children: Charles, now living at
Griswold, Iowa, a minister of the Methodist church; Alfred, also a minister
of the Methodist Episcopal church, living at Cambridge, Iowa; Samuel, a resident
of Webster City; John and Andrew, who are farmers of Oklahoma; Mrs.
Crone; and six now deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Crone have been born the
following children: Charles Christian, born February 23, 1869, wedded Mary
Donaldson, by whom he has three children, Rolla, Jennie and Lawrence. They
reside in Webb, Iowa. John Valentine was born January 16, 1871, and is
living at Greeley, Colorado. He married Kittie Esgar and has one son, Linden.
Elva Christian, born October 31, 1873, lives near Emmetsburg, Iowa, and has
six children: Everett, Pearl, Britton, George, Rosa and Blanche. Ida May,
born December 18, 1875, is the wife of Christ Peterson, who resides near
Albert City and has two children, Christina and Nina. William Christian, born
April 5, 1877, is at home. Emma Jane, born March 1, 1879, is teaching school
at Greeley, Colorado. Lizzie Mary, born September 16, 1881, is the wife of
Henry Thieman and is living at Albert City, Iowa. Evelyn Susan, born June
5, 1884, is the wife of Frank Scott, living near Marathon, and has one child,
Esther. Frank Christian, born August 31, 1887, is at home. George Harrison,
born December 12, 1891, is attending school at Greeley, Colorado.
Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Crone lived in Blackhawk county
for a few months but in 1867 came to Webster City, where Mr. Crone worked in
a sawmill with Captain Warner. He was thus employed through the winter
and then moved on to his land seven miles north of the town. He purchased
this property for six dollars per acre and remained there through the summer,
after which he again worked in the sawmill. In March, 1869, he sold his property
in that locality and removed to Clay county, taking up his abode four miles
northeast of Peterson, where he secured a homestead claim. After cultivating
the place for two years he sold his land and purchased other property, in Buena
Vista county, there remaining until 1903, in which year he removed to Marathon.
After spending a year and a half in that town he came to Webb, where he has
since made his home. As the years have passed he has judiciously invested in
real estate and his holdings are now large and profitable, including two hundred
and forty acres in Buena Vista county, three hundred and four acres in Palo
Alto county, one hundred and forty acres in Clay county and eighty acres in
Barron county, Wisconsin, together with two houses in Marathon and property
in Greeley, Colorado. He is a self-made man who, depending upon his own
resources, has worked his way upward, proving the force of his character and
the extent of his energy and business ability in the splendid success which he
has achieved. He holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and
gives his political allegiance to the republican party, but has never sought nor
desired office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business affairs,
in which he has met with well merited success.
Charles Ferd Johns, a prosperous agriculturist and highly respected citizen
of Logan township, Clay county, where he engages in general farming and
stock breeding, is a native of Hardin county, this state, where his birth occurred
January 1, 1861, and a son of David and Emma (Rice) Johns, his maternal
grandparents having been natives of Kentucky, who from that state removed
to Indiana and thence to Illinois, subsequently settling in Hardin county, this
state, being among the early pioneers of Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois, where
they passed through the experiences and hardships common to frontier life.
The grandfather passed away in Hardin county in his sixty-third year and at his
death his wife located in Cherokee county, where she lived for several years
and departed this life when she was eighty years of age. His paternal grandfather,
George M. Johns, was a shoemaker of London, England, who came to
the United States, where he passed away in 1862. His wife coming to the United
States in 1844, lived to be ninety-seven years of age. The only surviving
member of their family is David Johns, the father of the subject of this review,
a native of London, England, who came to the new world in 1844 and upon
arriving in this country located in Chicago on his birthday, settling upon a tract
of land twenty-seven miles from that city on the present site of the town of
Bartlett, where he remained for ten years, in 1854 removing to Hardin county,
this state, and thence in 1868 to Grundy county, where he remained until 1885
and then repaired to Cherokee county, where he still resides. His wife, Emma
Rice, was born near Knoxville, Indiana, her parents being pioneers of that state
and to her were born G. W., Charles Ferd, Maria, Clarissa, Carrie, Frank and
Emma, all of whom excepting Clarissa reside in Cherokee county and she lives
just across the line in Buena Vista county.
Charles Ferd Johns learned the art of agriculture under his father, acquiring
his education in the district schools of Grundy county and remained upon the
home farm until 1893, when he settled on the farm he now occupies in Logan
township, this county, his farm containing three hundred and thirty acres for
which he paid twenty-two dollars an acre. The attention which he has given
it has made it one of the finest and most productive tracts of land in this part
of the state. There were some improvements upon the land when he took hold
of it, but he razed all of the old buildings and constructed new ones so that now
his premises are provided with an elegant dwelling house, a substantial barn and
all outbuildings and other conveniences required to successfully pursue the
occupation of farming. Here he engages in general agriculture, taking considerable
interest in stock-raising and breeding, keeping on hand a number of
head of registered cattle and sheep in which he does an extensive buying and
shipping business.
On December 28, 1880, Mr. Johns wedded Mary Reeverts, daughter of H.
and Maggie (Sweeter) Reeverts, natives of Germany, who came to America
in the early '50s, settling in Ogle county, Illinois, remaining there until 1856
when they repaired to Grundy county, this state, removing to South Dakota in
1905, where they now reside. In their family were the following children:
Hilka; Mary; Frederick George; Fred, deceased; Harriett; and Dekana, deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Johns have been blessed with the following progeny:
William David, who wedded Jennie Brown, the couple having one child, Cecil,
and residing in South Dakota; Bert Hagen, who with his wife, Lizzie Herr,
and daughters Myrtle and Maggie, also resides in that state; and ]Maggie, who
lives with her parents, one child having died in infancy. Mr. Johns is one of
the most enterprising farmers in this part of the state and his transactions being
conducted on the basis of honesty and being a man of high morals he is known
throughout the community as an excellent farmer and worthy citizen.
The business life of the farmer today has become so complex that he lives
in a broader way than if he were one of the many atoms of a great city, and
he is certainly much more independent. He lives in a freer atmosphere, away
from the contaminating influences of city life, and does not experience poverty,
which is ever reaching out in want and distress. There is always a peculiar charm
in the broad expanse of field and sky which brings one in closer touch with
nature and develops a wdder personality. It is true that the city has its counter
charms, gayety and pleasures, its temples of art and halls of music. But all the
music of the human voice or of instruments is dead tones compared with the
songs of birds, nor is anything to be seen about a city to be compared with
the broad and resting view of the landscape. While farm life may in many
instances lack the opportunities of city life, yet upon the whole it is in many
particulars advantageous and always enables one to live in comfort and quiet.
Hansen C. Bittinger was reared amid the environments of rural surroundings
and has always been contented with the opportunities afforded on a farm.
He was born in Adams county, Pennsylvania, in 1862, a grandson of Andrew
and Barbara (Beamer) Bittinger and a son of Phillip and Ann Eliza (Funk)
Bittinger, natives of the Keystone state, where they now reside. He is the
eldest son of seven children, the next in order of birth being Clara, who married
John Herdeny, and lives in Adams county, Pennsylvania; Anna, who married
William Lady, who also lives in Adams county; John, who wedded Mary
Deardorff, of Adams county; Olive, who passed away in infancy; Sadie, the
wife of David Byrens, residents of Adams county, Pennsylvania; and Daisy, the
wife of William F. Hankey.
Hansen C. Bittinger was reared upon the home farm and obtained his education
in the district schools. In 1885, leaving the old homestead, he went westward
to Kansas, living for about three years in Dickinson county, and then
removed to Lee county, Illinois, settling near Franklin Grove, where he remained
for twelve years. At that period of his life, realizing the advantages that
might be secured in the farther west, he disposed of his interest in Lee county
and in 1900 came to Clay county, where he purchased and settled upon the
farm he now occupies, containing two hundred and forty acres of highly improved
and cultivated land, to which he has given sufficient attention to make it one of
the finest farms in the county. Here he engages in general husbandry and stock
raising, keeping on hand thoroughbred animals which he uses for breeding
purposes and at the same time carries on quite a business in cattle and sheep
feeding.
On February 11, 1892, Mr. Bittinger married Miss Anna Thomas, daughter
of Ephraim and Lucy Ann (Fehl) Thomas, natives of Adams county, Pennsylvania,
where they reside at present. Mrs. Bittinger is the eldest of a family
of four sons and four daughters, the others being: John Franklin, who wedded
Sarah Lookingbills, and resides in North Dakota Edward, who married Anna
Nipple, of Franklin Grove, Illinois; Amanda Jane, the wife of William Slaybaugh,
of Adams county, Pennsylvania; Margaret Alice, who married Samuel Allison,
of Adams county, Pennsylvania; Cora Emma, the wife of Samuel Robinson,
also residing in that county; Lily, the wife of Frank Hemler; Charles, who lives
at home; and Harvey, who is united in marriage to Elsie Swope and follows
farming. To Mr. and Mrs. Bittinger have been born three children: Clarence,
whose birth occurred December 11, 1894; Wilbur Thomas, born August 7,
1896; and Harvey Hansen, who entered this life December 7, 1901.
Mr. Bittinger is a wide-awake and energetic farmer, whose industry has
done much to develop the resources of this part of the county, and the years
of his application have enabled him to surround himself with many comforts.
Politically he is a republican, always loyal to the candidates of his party. He
has served for several years as school director and is now performing the duties
of township trustee. He belongs to the Knights of the Globe and the Fraternal
Tribunes and is a member of the Presbyterian church, in which he is an enthusiastic
worker. His life being in harmony with the principles of his faith, his
daily conduct is above reproach and he justly deserves mention among the
excellent citizens and substantial farmers of Garfield township.
G. W. Anderson, of Spencer, is prominently connected with the banking
interests of the county, having been one of the organizers of two substantial
banks here. A man of great natural ability, his success in business from the
beginning of his residence here has been uniform and rapid. As has been truly
remarked, after all that may be done for a man in the way of giving him
early opportunities for obtaining the requirements that are sought in schools and
in books, he must essentially formulate, determine and give shape to his own
character, and this is what Mr. Anderson has done. He has persevered in the
pursuit of a persistent purpose and has gained a most satisfactory reward.
Mr. Anderson is numbered among the worthy citizens that Michigan has
furnished to Iowa. He was born in the former state, being a native of St.
Joseph county, where he started on life's journey on the 11th of August, 1860.
On the home farm there he was reared to manhood and he supplemented his
early educational privileges by study in the high school at Constantine, Michigan.
When he had reached adult age he turned his attention to farming, which he
followed for several years in his native state, and through much of his life
he continued an active factor in agricultural lines.
In March, 1884, in De Kalb county, Indiana, Mr. Anderson was united
in marriage to Miss Lizzie B. Tess, who spent her girlhood days there and
pursued her education in the locality in which she was born and reared. Previous
to his marriage Mr. Anderson had visited Iowa and had purchased land here,
becoming the owner of a tract of wild prairie. With his bride he returned to
this state and at once began the cultivation and improvement of a farm which
he continued to develop until 1894. His labors were effective factors in transforming
the raw prairie into productive fields, from which he annually gathered
good crops of wheat, corn and other cereals best adapted to climatic conditions
here. In 1894, however, he sold his farm for the purpose of retiring from
agricultural life and becoming identified with business pursuits in the city. He
therefore removed to Spencer and for five years. was engaged in the real estate
business, during which time he, with others, organized the Citizens State Bank
of Spencer, which was opened for business March 4, 1897. Said bank was
changed to a national bank in 1903. He opened up and took charge of the
Fostoria Bank June 1, 1899, and there built up a good business, acting as
manager and cashier, while in the conduct of the bank he is ably assisted by his
son. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Anderson was blessed with three sons.
O. J., who is now assistant cashier of the bank at Fostoria, was educated at
Spencer and received a thorough business training under his father's direction.
He is now recognized as one of the enterprising young business men of the
county. He was married in Hardin county, Iowa, July 18, 1905, to Miss Anna
B. Beving, who was there born and reared, and they have one son, George
W., named in honor of his grandfather. The second son of the family, W. D.
Anderson, passed away March 12, 1904, at the age of seventeen years. Reader
is still a student in the schools of Spencer.
Mr. Anderson and his elder son are both members of the Masonic fraternity.
He belongs to the lodge and the chapter, and the former served as
Master for three years. He and his wife are members of the Eastern Star and
Mrs. Anderson served as worthy matron for two years. Mr. Anderson occupies
a prominent place in business circles in Clay county. In addition to his banking
interests, he is buying and dealing in improved farms in Clay and adjoining
counties, and is recognized as a man whose business judgment is sound, whose
discernment is keen and whose enterprise is unfaltering. His life is exemplary
in all respects and he has ever supported those interests which are calculated to
uplift and benefit humanity by his own high moral worth. What he undertakes
he accomplishes, for he possesses resolution, perseverance and reliability, and
these qualities have caused him to be enrolled among the best citizens of this
part of the state.
Farming and stock-raising constitute the chief sources of wealth in Clay
county, for the rich and fertile soil offers excellent opportunities to the agriculturist.
To this work, which George Washington characterized as "the most
useful and honorable occupation of man," John Ringering gives his attention,
having a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 12, Waterford township.
He has lived in Iowa since 1881, at which time he took up his abode
in Hardin county, whence, in 1888, he came to Clay county. A native of
Germany, his birth occurred in Hanover on the 6th of March, 1864. His father,
John Ringering, Sr., was also a native of that province, where his youth was
passed. His wife, Mrs. Maggie Ringering, was likewise a native of the same
locality. The father learned the baker's trade in Germany and followed that
pursuit in his native land until 1877, when his life's labors were ended in death.
In 1882 his widow came to the new world and here joined her son John who
in the previous year had crossed the Atlantic. The family numbered three
sons and three daughters : George, who follows farming in Waterford township;
Jacob, of Cedar county, Nebraska; John, of this review; Anna, the wife
of Boye Bovenga, of Franklin county; Fanny, the wife of Dick Raster, also of
Franklin county; and Hannah, the wife of John Bademaker.
In taking up the personal history of John Ringering we present to our
readers the life record of one who is now widely and favorably known in this
part of the state. He was reared in his native country to the age of seventeen
years, and during the period of his minority worked at farm labor there. He
was only thirteen years of age at the time of his father's death, and the family
being left in limited circumstances, he was thus thrown upon his own resources
and has since provided a living for himself. Attracted by the business conditions
of the new world and the hope that he might benefit his financial resources
here, he came to the United States in 1881 and took up his abode in Hardin
county, Iowa. There he secured employment at farm labor and devoted seven
years to that task in the employ of one man. His long continuance in that
service plainly indicates his faithfulness and the confidence reposed in him. In
1888 he came to Clay county and purchased one hundred and sixty acres where
he now resides, on section 12, Waterford township. Here he took up the difficult
task of developing a new farm, but day after day persistently carried on his
labor and each evening saw something accomplished that had not been done the
day before. Thus the work was carried steadily forward until he is today the
owner of a valuable farming property, on which stands a comfortable frame
residence a good barn, a granary, corn cribs, hog house and machine shed.
All these have been put up by Mr. Ringering, and another evidence of his labor
is seen in the line grove upon the place. He likewise raises and fattens stock,
shipping about one hundred head of hogs annually. In addition to his home
place, he purchased another farm of two hundred acres, which he now rents.
On the 6th of March, 1893, in Clay county, Mr. Ringering was married
to Miss Ida Groenewald, who was born in Peoria county, Illinois, but was
reared in this state. Her father, George Groenewald, was a native of Hanover,
and when he had made the long voyage across the Atlantic, established his home
in Hardin county, Iowa. Subsequently he came to Clay county, and is now a
well known farmer of Waterford township. Mr. and Mrs. Ringering have
five children: Gerty, Hannah, Mary, William and Martha. Mr. Ringering
votes with the republican party, which he has supported since becoming a
naturalized American citizen. No native son of this land is more loyal to the
institutions and interests of America. He and his wife are members of the
German Reformed church and occupy an enviable position in social circles. Mr.
Ringering is a man of good business ability, recognized as an industrious and
frugal farmer, who has made good use of his opportunities and has therefore
prospered from year to year.
Uriah D. Fisk, who since 1882 has been a resident of Clay county, is now
the owner of an excellent farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Logan township.
This is an attractive place because of its skillfully tilled fields and the
substantial improvements he has put upon the property. He is, therefore, well
known as an excellent representative of the agricultural life of the community,
and the success he has attained in his farming operations is attributable entirely
to his own labors. One of Iowa's native sons, he was born in Adams county,
June 12, 1871, and is a son of Robert and Emeline (Webster) Fisk, both of
whom were natives of Canada. The Fisk family was established in Lee county,
Illinois, about 1855, while the Websters located there a few years later, the
parents of our subject being married in Lee county, where they continued to
reside for a number of years. July 3, 1882, when their son Uriah was eleven
years of age, they arrived in Clay county, Iowa, locating on section No. 28,
Lincoln township, where they have since made their home.
Spending his youthful days under the parental roof, Uriah D. Fisk was
early trained to the work of the farm, assisting in the labors of the fields and
meadow as the years passed and his strength increased. The public schools
afforded him his educational privileges, and in his school and home training
he formed habits of life which have made his an active, useful and honorable
career.
As a companion and helpmate for life's journey Mr. Fisk chose Miss Emma
Klein, born in Iroquois county, Illinois, July 27, 1873, a daughter of Fred and
Caroline (Bishop) Klein, who were natives of Germany. To this union there
came three children: Milo, born November 30, 1896; Robert, born June 27,
1901; Vera, born April 3, 1903. On coming to America in 1864 Fred Klein and
wife settled in Chicago, where they remained for several years. The father was
a shoemaker by trade and depended upon that occupation for a living in early
manhood, but later turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. Leaving
Chicago, he established his home in Iroquois county, Illinois, where he lived a
few years, and in 1884 came to Clay county, Iowa. Here he secured land and
carried on general farming until his death, which occurred in 1899, when he
was sixty-six years of age. His wife survived him about four years and died
on the 23d of October, 1903, at the age of sixty-nine years.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Fisk was celebrated November 29, 1894,
after which they established their home in Garfield township, where his attention
was given to general agricultural pursuits for about seven years. In 1904
the removal was made to Logan township and he purchased the farm which
he now owns and operates. It comprises one hundred and sixty acres of well
cultivated fields, on which are fine improvements. In fact, all of the equipments
of a model farm are to be seen upon this property, and in addition to
tilling the soil, Mr. Fisk is largely interested in stock raising and shipping.
He is a busy man, his time and attention being closely given to his farming
and livestock interests, and as the years go by he is attaining substantial success
in his chosen field of labor.
There are few individuals who are released from the necessity of business
activity, and it is through energy, determination and strict conformity to high
principles that an upright character is developed which commands confidence,
friendship and regard. Neither are the fruits of success easily won, but come
as the result of indefatigable industry. It has been through his persistent and
well directed labor that George Ewoldt has gained a place among the prosperous
farmers of Lone Tree township, where he now owns three hundred acres of
land on section 15. He was born in the city of Davenport, Iowa, December
16, 1863, and there remained until fifteen years of age, when he removed with
646 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
the family to a farm in Tama county, Iowa, and there remained under the
parental roof until he attained his majority. His educational privileges were
those afforded by the common schools. He was married in Tama county,
February 27, 1890, to Miss Mary Lammers, who was born in Scott county,
Iowa, where her girlhood days were passed, save that for a part of the time
she lived in Tama county. She is a sister of Julius Lammers, mentioned
elsewhere in this volume.
Two years prior to his marriage Mr. Ewoldt had purchased one hundred
and sixty acres of land in Lone Tree township, Clay county, and in the spring
of 1890 he located on this place. He has since been one of the factors in the
substantial upbuilding and development of the county. Here he built a small
house and after the family was installed therein he at once began to break
the sod. A difficult task confronted him, for the surface soil was hard packed
and held together by the innumerable roots of the prairie grasses. He persisted
in his work, however, until the uncultivated tract was brought into a state
of fertility and in course of time produced rich and abundant harvests, for
which he found a ready sale on the market. Later he bought one hundred
and twenty acres of land, but subsequently sold forty acres of this. He afterward
was given sixty acres by his wife's father, and now has a farm of three
hundred acres, pleasantly and conveniently situated near Everly on section 15,
Lone Tree township. A fine grove is one of the pleasing features of the place,
and it contains cottonwood, ash, maple and box-elder trees. The residence is
a large frame house, conveniently arranged and pleasantly furnished, while a
spirit of warm-hearted hospitality there abounds. In the rear of the house is a
good barn, while other features of the place are a granary, wind-pump and
waterworks. There is an abundant water supply for stock, and everything
about the farm indicates the owner to be a man of alert, wide-awake and
enterprising spirit, who keeps thoroughly in touch with modern methods of
agriculture. He feeds a carload of fat stock each year, and this branch of his
business is quite remunerative. Moreover, he is a stockholder in the First
National Bank of Everly.
Mr. and Mrs. Ewoldt are the parents of three children. Frank, Gladys and
Edna. They lost a daughter, Louisa, at the age of four years. Mr. Ewoldt
votes with the democracy, but is not active in search of political office. He is a
man of good business ability, carefully managing his interests and winning the
success which is now his. Upright character and sterling worth have gained
him a favorable place in the regard of many friends, and Lone Tree township
numbers him among her valued citizens.
No history of Clay county would be complete without mention of Detlief
J. Stark, one of its homesteaders and first settlers. Mr. Stark is a native of
Holstein, Germany, born October 3, 1841. When a young man of twenty-two
years he came to the United States and for a time worked in a lumber yard at
Winona, Minnesota. He later purchased eighty acres of land in Olmsted
county, Minnesota, and engaged in farming. Meeting with reverses, owing to
failure of crops, he sold the land and, bringing his tools and teams to Clay county,
homesteaded eighty acres of land in section 2, Peterson township, in 1870. In
true pioneer style he lived the first year in a sod house. A poor man, but with
strong physique and resolute will — characteristics of his race — he overcame all
obstacles and became one of the county's prosperous and respected citizens.
He was married in Minnesota in 1870. His wife, Mrs. Kathrina Stark,
who was also a native of Germany, bore her full share of pioneer hardships and
experiences. After a happy married life of thirty-two years she passed away
on the old homestead farm June 21, 1902. In her death the community lost one
of its noble friends and neighbors and her family a loving wife and mother.
She was a lifelong member of the German Lutheran church. Mr. and Mrs.
Stark were the parents of six children, three of whom have passed away. Those
who are living are: Fred, a young man of thirty-one years, who since infancy
has been deprived of his eyesight; Emma, the wife of Henry Lundt, a farmer
of Douglas township, this county; and Sophia, the wife of Edward Bouser,
residing in Nebraska.
Starting in life empty-handed, Mr. Stark has, by his own efforts, been
more than ordinarily successful and has accumulated a goodly competence. His
farm in Peterson township comprises two hundred and eighty-seven acres of
finely improved land. Three years ago he took up his residence in Spencer,
leaving the active work of the fields to others. He owns a pleasant home on
East Fifth street and though living retired he cannot content himself to be idle,
but does teaming and makes numerous trips to the old homestead to look after
his farming interests. Mr. Stark also is a member of the German Lutheran
church and is an honest, upright man. A democrat in politics, though never an
office seeker, while on the farm he served as school director and road supervisor.
Since coming to Spencer he has become a member of the Modern Woodmen of
America. Mr. Stark is one of those men who came to Clay county when it
was a pioneer district and has done his full share towards bringing about the
conditions that exist today. Although past sixty-eight years of age, he is still
hale and hearty and active as many men twenty years younger. Public-spirited,
doing all he can to further anv worthy cause, he is today one of Clay county's
most highlv esteemed and respected citizens.
Elmer D. Smith, a prosperous farmer and well known auctioneer of Logan
township, whose ancestors have long been in this country and some of whom
served with distinction in the Revolutionary war, is a native of Luzerne county,
Pennsylvania, born March 21, 1870. Abraham Smith, his grandfather, was a
native of New Jersey, and when a boy eighteen years of age located in Pennsylvania,
where he operated a large farm and constructed a brick residence in the
year 1816, in which the subject of this sketch was born and the house, which
is an old landmark, is still standing and is in fair condition. Mr. Smith was a
prominent and influential man in his day and served during the Revolutionary
war in the capacity of major, and after the conflict was for several years
commissioner of the county in which he resided. Among his children was Abraham
Smith, Jr., a native of the Keystone state, whose birth occurred in Luzerne
county and who was united in marriage with Mary C. Snyder, a native of
Columbia county, Pennsylvania, where she now resides. In his native county
Mr. Smith lived until the year 1892, when he moved to Kingsley, Plymouth
county, Iowa, and thence to Gaza, O'Brien county, in 1894. There he engaged
in mercantile pursuits and also served for one year as postmaster. Giving up his
business in 1895, he became proprietor of a hotel, filling that position for a year,
when he located on a farm in Palo Alto county, Iowa, where he resided until
four years ago, when he came to this county. His life has been such as to deserve
the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens, and his long years of honest
labor have placed him in a position in which he can spend his remaining days in
comfort. He has always been a supporter of the democratic party, and belongs
to the Methodist Episcopal church. He reared the following children: Bertram
S., a jobber of Goodell, Iowa; Maud and Mert, twins, Maud being the wife of
Wilbur R. Coldren, a barber of Denver, Colorado, and Mert the wife of Oscar
W. Peterson, a farmer of Booth township, Palo Alto county; Olive; Dora, who
wedded George A. Frazee, who has extensive agricultural interests in Booth
township, Palo Alto county; May C. deceased; and Elmer D.
On his father's farm Elmer D. Smith spent his boyhood days, meeting with
the usual experiences of the country lad, engaging in the general routine of the
farm and during the winter season attending the district schools. Under the
parental roof he remained until he was nineteen years of age when he came to
Iowa, locating in Kingsley, where he at once began to farm for monthly wages,
at which he continued for a time, and after spending four years in Plymouth
county he worked for two years in Pocahontas county, and thence went to Palo
Alto county, where he rented and cultivated a farm for seven years, at the
termination of which period, in the year 1901, he came to this county, locating
in Lake township, where he remained until 1902. He then returned to Palo Alto
county, but remained there only until 1904, when he again entered Clay county
and established himself on his present farm in Logan township. Here he owns
three hundred and twenty acres in section 25, which he keeps under a high state
of cultivation, carrying on his farming by the most modern methods and having
all conveniences with which to make the enterprise a lucrative one. In addition
to raising large quantities of hay he also produces corn, wheat, oats and other
crops and at the same time pays considerable attention to stock-raising and keeps
on hand a number of high grade horses, cattle and sheep. Aside from his
farming interests he is also a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator and Creamery
at Ayrshire. He also is an auctioneer and his services are in great demand.
On November 28, 1891, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Mary H.
Alexander, a resident of Palo Alto county, and to this union were born Hazel
Mildred and William A. Vryon. Politically he is a loyal supporter of the republican
party and while he is not an active politician, he keeps well informed upon
the political issues of the dav and regularly casts his vote for the candidates of his
party. While a resident of Palo Alto county he served the township as a trustee
but since taking up his residence here his business affairs have been too pressing
to allow him time to devote to public offices. He attends the Presbyterian church,
of which he is a member, and belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows,
meeting in Ayrshire. Mr. Smith is one of the township's most enterprising and
aggressive men and his straightforward dealings, together with his industry, have
won him an excellent reputation and enrolled him among the county's substantial
and desirable citizens.
D. F. LUNDT.
HENRY LUNDT.
E. W. BREIDINGER.
PETER CHRISTENSON.
ANDREW ANDERSON.
KNUD CHRISTENSEN.
O. A. WEBER.
PAUL M. MILLER.
THOMAS D. GRIGGS.
FRANK SHERMAN.
W. O. ECKLEY
FREDERICK WILLIAM HOFFMAN.
EMIL SEBASTION.
EDWARD A. LANDERS.
THOMAS MARION ELLESS.
MARTIN L. LAUCK.
CHARLES R. HOWE.
JAMES S. ADY.
EDGAR S. RANDALL.
ANGELO A. FLINT.
W. A. JUDSON.
JOHN McWHIRTER.
FRANK AUGUST GABRIELSON.
J. P. TISCHER.
JOSEPH H. ZIMMERMAN.
GEORGE W. MILLS.
ASA F. McCONNELL.
JOHN RILEY
IRA ATWOOD.
THEODORE L. OLSON.
JOHN H. SNYDER.
John H. Snyder, one of the most successful agriculturists and stock feeders
of Clay township, this county, is prominent in the financial circles of the county
as a broker and money lender. He is of sturdy German origin, the industrious
qualities of which race he inherits in large measure, his birth having occurred
in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, September 15, 1849. He is a son of
John and Mary Anna (Altman) Snyder, his father having been a native of the
fatherland who came to the new world when seventeen years of age, locating
in the Keystone state, where he remained until the year 1855, when he traveled
westward and settled on a farm in Keokuk county, Iowa. There he remained
actively engaged in agricultural pursuits until the Civil war broke out, when
he returned to Pennsylvania where he departed this life. Prior to engaging
in farming he followed the butcher business and was also proprietor of a hotel
in Harrison City, Pennsylvania. The elder Mr. Snyder was twice married,
his first wife being Hannah Hauntz, by whom he had one child, Nancy Ann, who
now resides in the Keystone state. By his second wife he had eight children,
namely: George, deceased; John H., of this review; Hannah, the wife of
Robert Boyd, who is living a retired life in Sutherland, Iowa; Mary Ann,
deceased; Phoebe, who was united in marriage to Frank Moll, now residing in
Ohio; Lizzie, the wife of James Gillespie, janitor of schools in Sutherland, this
state; Sarah, who became the wife of Calvin Harris, who engages in general
farming in O'Brien county, this state; and Andrew deceased. Mrs. Snyder
was also a native of Pennsylvania, where she was married. She still survives,
now residing in O'Brien county, Iowa. G. H. SCHUENEMAN.
C. B. JONES.
JOHN S. SHRIVER.
FRANK BRUSIE.
CHRISTIAN CRONE.
CHARLES FERD JOHNS.
HANSEN C. BITTINGER.
G. W. ANDERSON.
JOHN RINGERING.
URIAH D. FISK.
GEORGE EWOLDT.
DETLIEF J. STARk.
ELMER D. SMITH.
