1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa
Page Index:
Langanfeld |
Lage |
McMullen |
B Hodapp |
F Hodapp |
Daws |
Barton |
Plumb |
Graves |
Kays |
Thielan
A prosperous young farmer and a man who is fast coming to the front as one of the best farmers in Westphalia township, Shelby County, Iowa, is George J. LANGANFELD. There never was a time when the farming profession presented such opportunities as it does today, such possibilities for an independent career and freedom from the worries and cares of a business life. Thousands of our young men are turning to agricultural pursuits today who formerly would have gone to the city where more or less precarious existence must have faced them. The twenthieth century will see greater advances made in farming than have come in all the past centuries together; electricity will play a part in the every day life of the farmer which he little dreams of at the present time; science will come to his help in a great variety of ways and make his work so pleasant that the urban trend of the present day will be checked.
George J. LANGANFELD, the son of Nicholas and Kate (KRUPP) LANGANFELD, was born April 26, 1888 in the township where he has spent all of his
life. His father was a native of Germany, came to this country with his parents when he was fourteen years old, settled in Wisconsin and grew to
manhood in that state. Nicholas LANGANFELD worked for his father upon the farm in Wisconsinuntil 1885, and then came to Shelby County and
purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Westphalia township where he is still living. After buying the farm and putting out a crop,, he returned to his old home in Wisconsin and married Kate KRUPP, who was born in that state. He brought his bride to his new home in this township at once and here they have been living for nearly thirty years. They are the parents of ten children: Casper, Clara, George J., John, Dora, William, Wilhelmina, Francis, Fred and Adelia. Casper married Anna PETSCHE and Clara died at the age of six; all the other children are single and still living with their parents.
George J. Langanfeld received a good common school education in the schools of his immediate neighborhood, and, as did other farmer boys, worked
upon the farm during the summer seasons. After leaving school, he continued upon the home farm until his marriage in 1911, when he rented a farm
and started in to work for himself. In the fall of 1913, he purchased his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres in this township and now has the
satisfaction of owning one of the best farms in the county. He constantly is improving the place and hopes to make it a model farm before many years.
Being a young man of progressive and modern ideas, he knows that it takes strict application and definite plans to accomplish anything, and, because he has these necessary qualifications, it is safe to predict a very successful career for him in his chosen life work.
Mr. Langanfeld was married August 27, 1911, to Anna SCHMITZ, the daughter of William and Josephine (KIRCHOFF) SCHMITZ, and to this union there
has been born one son, Leo. Mrs. Langanfeld's parents came from Germany before their marriage, her father at first settling in Illinois with his parents
and later (1873) coming with them to Westphalia township in this county. In this county, he married Josephine KIRCHOFF and to them have been born
seven children: John, who married Annie KLEPPER; Anthony, who married Katie LOEHR; Henry, who married Mary KRAMER; Joseph, who married Annie
REINIG; Anna, the wife of Mr. LANGANFELD; William and Mary, who are still single.
In politics, Mr. Langanfeld is a stanch supporter of the Democratic party, and though interested in anything which makes for good government, has never
taken an active part in political affairs. The Catholic Church claims the earnest support of Mr. Langanfeld and his wife and in its various activities, they are always interested.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 1490.
Contributed by: Mona Sarratt Knight
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One of the enterprising businessmen of Harlan, Iowa, is Carl LAGE, who has been identified with the business interests of this city for the
past twenty years. Like many of the successful businessmen of harlan, he is of German birth and the habits of thrift and industry for which the Germans
are known wherever they settle in this country has made him one of the most substantial men of the city. He is strictly a self-made man and has attained
his present success solely through his own unaided efforts. His career is a striking example of the opportunities which this country offers to enterprising
men of foreign birth.
Carl LAGE, a member of the firm of HANSEN & LAGE, was born in Schoenberg, Germany, September 26, 1860. He is the son of Hans and Anna
(KLINDT) LAGE, both of whom spent all of their lives in the land of their birth. His father was born in 1821 and died in 1906, and his mother was born in
1822 and died in 1886. His father was a weaver in Germany and followed that occupation until he retired in 1890. Five children were born to Hans LAGE
and wife: Thomas, Hans, William, Anna and Carl.
The education of Carl LAGE was received in his native land and after leaving school he learned the glazing trade and followed that until he came to
America at the age of twenty. Many of his countrymen had preceded him to this county, and when he arrived at Avoca, Iowa, April 2, 1880, he found many
of them here to welcome him. He worked as a farm hand near Avoca for five years, after which he located at Omaha, Nebraska. He followed teaming in
that city for about nine months, and then came to Shelby County, Iowa, and located in Fairview Township with his brother, Thomas. The two brothers
rented a farm of one hundred eighty acres and farmed it until 1891. In that year, Carl LAGE left the farm, never to return. He went to Corley, Iowa, and
clerked in a general mercantile store there for three years. In the winter of 1894, he returned to Germany and visited his parents and relatives for a few
months, and in the spring of the same year, he returned to Iowa and located at Harlan, where he found employment in the general merchandise store of
C. SCHOUBE. The following year, Mr. LAGE became a member of the firm of C. SCHOUBE & Company, and this firm continued in business under this
name until 1898 when Mr. SCHOUBE died. The firm was then recognized under the name of Hansen, Lage, Nieman & Company and continued to do
business under the new name until 1908, Mr. NIEMAN having died in 1907. The firm was then reorganized under the name of Hansen & Lage, and has
continued to do business under this name since that time. They carry a general line of merchandise and they have their share of the patronage of the
county seat and the surrounding community. The store is well stocked with goods, and by careful management has built up a business which speaks
well for their enterprise.
Mr. LAGE was married October 2, 1897, to Margaret SCHNOOR, the daughter of George SCHNOOR and wife, and to this union two children have been
born, Hugo and Emil, both of whom are single and living at home with their parents. Mrs. Lage's parents were both natives of Germany and never left the
land of their birth. Both are now deceased. Five children were born to George SCHNOOR and wife: Jacob, John, Ferdinand, Margaret and one who is
deceased.
Mr. LAGE is a member of the German Lutheran Church, as is his wife and children. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the
Modern Woodmen of America, and the Brotherhood of American Yeomen. Politically, he has been identified with the Republican party and has served as
councilman in his city. He is deeply interested in the welfare of his city and such measures as he deems advantageous for its welfare find in him a ready and enthusiastic supporter. Mr. LAGE and his family are prominent in the society of Harlan and their home is a hospitable center where their many
friends delight to meet.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 1104-1107.
Contributed by: Mona Sarratt Knight
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The record of the gentleman whose name introduces this article contains no exciting chapter of tragic events, but is replete
with well-defined purposes which, carried to successful issue, have won for him an influential place in the commercial life of this section. His life has
been one of unceasing industry and perseverance, and the systematic and honorable methods which he has ever followed have resulted not only in
gaining the confidence of those with whom he has had dealings, but has reflected honor upon himself and dignity upon the business life of the town
honored by his residence.
George E. McMullen, the well known banker of Irwin, Shelby County, Iowa, was born September 27, 1857, in Saint Joseph County, Indiana, about two
miles north of the city of South Bend. He is the son of David and Elizabeth (Bainter) McMullen, both of whom were natives of Ohio. The father of David
was Samuel McMullen, a native of the state of Virginia. The McMullen family is of sterling Scotch-Irish extraction and was prominently identified with the
early life of the American colonies, having immigrated to the new world some time before the Revolutionary War. Elizabeth Bainter, the subject's mother, was a daughter of Frederick Bainter, her mother's maiden name being Roof. Her maternal grandfather Roof was a patriot of the Revolutionary War, being the only veteran of that war who lies buried at South Bend, Indiana. The family of Roof was originally from Germany and first settled in the state of Pennsylvania.
In the fall of 1874, the immediate subject of this sketch, together with his father's family, came westward, locating in Shelby County on an 80-acre farm in
what was then Harlan Township. There he made his home, carrying on general farming, until the year 1892, when he retired from the active duties of life
and took up his residence in Harlan, living there quietly until the time of his death in 1897. His widow survived him about three years, her death occurring in 1900. David McMullen was a man of marked domestic traits, taking infinite pleasure in his home and family and the training of his children. He was the father of four children, one of whom, Maggie, is now deceased. She was the wife of Samuel Elser. Lizzy, another daughter, is the wife of F. E. Gillett and lives with Sarah in Harlan. While he gave support to the Democratic party, he never took any active part in the party's affairs. Neither was he a member of any secret order, nor affiliated with any church society, although he lived a life in strict accordance with the best teachings. The mother,
however, was a most devoted church woman, being a member of the German society of Dunkards.
George E. McMullen remained under the paternal roof until he reached his eighteenth year, when, having received a good practical education, he
engaged in teaching school. His first charge was the old Hollett Grove School, one of the educational landmarks of this locality. He taught school for four terms and during vacations had secured employment in the office of the county auditor. Here he found a better opportunity for himself. He permanently gave up school teaching and was appointed a deputy in the county auditor's office, in which position he remained for four years. After his appointment expired, he entered the Shelby County Bank in the capacity of bookkeeper, where he remained for seven years, in the meantime mastering many of the technical points of the business of banking. In April 1891, in partnership with J. T. Jack, he bought out the good will and business of the Bank of Irwin, where he has since remained. Their partnership was in effect until April 1903, when Mr. McMullen purchased the interest of Mr. Jack and has since continued the business alone, it having assumed most pleasing proportions under his skillful management.
Mr. McMullen has been twice married, his first wife being Miss Rosa Shirk, born in 1862 in Louise County, this state, and with whom he was united in
matrimony in December 1880. She came from one of the early pioneer families of Louise County and it is believed they came originally from Illinois. Mrs. McMullen died in the fall of 1884, leaving two small children. Edna, the daughter, became the wife of Ed H. Ames of Irwin and they are the parents of one child, Helen, born July 27, 1911. Allison G., the son, married Maud Chryst of Page County, this state, and they make their home in Gray, Iowa, where he is manager of the Green Bay Lumber Company. He is the father of two children: Alice, born March 11, 1911, and Gladys, born October 10, 1912. In the fall of 1885, Mr. McMullen married Miss Phoebe Holdefer, who was born May 28, 1859, in Lee County, this state, the daughter of John Holdefer, her mother's maiden name being Weigel. She is of German extraction, both the Holdefers and Weigels coming originally from Germany. By this second marriage, one son, Harry, was born April 13, 1888. He is unmarried, residing with his parents and assisting his father in the bank.
Mr. McMullen has always been identified with the ranks of the Republican Party and while keenly interested in all that concerns his party, he has never
aspired to public office. His fraternal affiliation is with the ancient order of Free Masonry and both he and his wife are members of the Eastern Star. They
also belong to the Christian Church and are considered among the most active members of the local organization. Mr. McMullen is a man of quiet tastes,
devoting his time to his home and business, sparing himself no effort to advance the interests of either. He and his wife move in the best social circles of the community and among their large circle of acquaintances they enjoy a well deserved popularity.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, p. 946.
Contributed by: Mona Sarratt Knight
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The second generation of German citizens are now coming to the front in Shelby County, Iowa, and the thrift and frugality which characterized their
fathers is marking their lives as well. Among the second generation in this county is Bernard HODAPP, one of the youngest farmers of the county
and most successful. His father is one of the largest land holders of the county and a man who has made everything solely through his own
efforts. Mr. HODAPP has a bright future before him, and he is a devoted and diligent worker who will, in the coming years, be classed among the
most substantial farmers of his township.
Bernard HODAPP, the son of Wendell and Mary (HOFER) HODAPP, was born July 14, 1888 in Shelby County, Iowa. His father was a native of
Germany who came to this country when a young man and settled in Illinois. He worked as a farm laborer for a few years until he married Mary
HOFER, who was born in Illinois. After his marriage, he brought his wife to Shelby County, Iowa, and located on the farm where his son, Bernard,
is now living. First he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land, but by good management and close attention to business, he increased his
land holdings until he now owns eight hundred acres of fine farming land in this county. In 1911, he retired from active farm life and moved to
Westphalia, where he and his wife now live. Wendell HODAPP and wife are the parents of ten children: Frank, Bernard, George, William
deceased; Rosa, Anna, Clara, Eleanora; and Mary and Joseph, both deceased. Frank married Mary ROSMANN and Rosa married Joseph
ROSMANN. Anna and Clara are in St. Joseph's convent, while Eleanora and George are with their parents.
Bernard HODAPP received all of his education in the schools at Westphalia, and when a mere lad began helping his father on the farm. As soon
as he was married, he rented a farm from his father and now is operating two hundred acres of land. He is a bright young man, takes a keen
interest in agriculture and has demonstrated that he thoroughly understands every phase of farming. Mr. HODAPP was married in Westphalia,
February 14, 1911, to Anna ROSMANN, the daughter of George and Anna (ERTMER) ROSMANN, and to this union has been born one daughter,
Alice. Mrs. Hodapp's parents were natives of Austria and Illinois, respectively, her father coming to America when he was about twenty years old.
He settled in Douglas township in this county and lived the life of a prosperous farmer until his death January 9, 1910. His wife died May 14, 1909.
Mrs. Hodapp is one of fourteen children born to her parents, all of whom are living. Mr. Hodapp is a Democrat but has yet taken no active part in
politics. He and his wife are loyal members of the Catholic Church, and Mr. Hodapp is a member of the Roman Catholic Mutual Protective Society.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, p. 1231.
Contributed by: Mona Sarratt Knight
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A successful farmer and sstock raiser of Shelby County, Iowa, is Frank Hodapp, who has lived in this county for the past
thirty-three years. His parents were of German birth and like all of the German farmers of this county, Mr. Hodapp has made a pronounced
success of his chosen life work. The habits of thrift and industry which were necessary to insure a comfortable living in Germany, when applied to
this country, are productive of remarkable results. In the old country, the farmer who has a few acres of land feels that he can make a comfortable
living for his family, while in America, the farmer requires several times as much land and then is often not as successful as the German farmers
with much less acreage. This county owes a tribute to the German settlers which it can never repay, for these sturdy farmers have brought the
county to its present prosperous condition, and in the various communities where they have settled, they have contributed of their substance to the
support of all worthy movements.
Frank HODAPP, the son of Wendel and Mary (HOFER) HODAPP, was born in Carroll County, Illinois, in 1879. His father was born in Germany in
1854 and his mother was born in Illinois in 1864. Wendel Hodapp came to America and located in Illinois, where he married Mary Hofer and
rented a farm in that state for a few years. In 1881, he located in Shelby County, Iowa, and bought land in Lincoln Township, where he lived until he
retired to Westphalia in 1911. Ten children were born to Wendel Hodapp and wife, seven of whom are living.
Frank Hodapp was two years of age when his parents moved from Carroll County, Illinois, to Shelby County, Iowa, and consequently his education
was all received in this county. He remained at home, helping his father on the home farm until he was twenty-four years of age and then began
for himself by renting land from his father. Three years later, he bought two hundred and six acres from his father, and on this he has placed five
thousand dollars' worth of improvements within the past few years. He has a fine grove of fruit and forest trees, which furnishes him plenty of fuel
as well as an abundant supply of lumber for building purposes.
Frank Hodapp was married in 1904 to Mary ROSSMAN, who was born in this county in 1884. To this union have been born five children, Joseph,
Stella, Elma, Walter and Aneta. Politically, Mr. Holdapp is identified with the Democratic party and is now serving on the school board of his
township. The family are all devout members of the Catholic Church and Mr. Hodapp is a member of the Roman Catholic Mutual Protective
Society, an organization which includes a large number of the Catholics of this community.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, p. 1231.
Contributed by: Mona Sarratt Knight
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There are some men who are born leaders. It is safe to say that one of the leaders among the farmers of Shelby County,
Iowa, is Charles W. Daws, who was president and one of the first organizers of the Shelby County Fine Stock Exchange of Harlan. He is a man
who has been identified with the agricultural interests of his county for more than thirty years and by good management has risen from a place of
obscurity to become one of the most prominent men of his county. That he is held in high esteem by his fellow citizens is shown by the fact that he
served as trustee of Center Township for fourteen years. This is certainly a striking tribute to his work as a public spirited citizen and shows
plainer than anything else the confidence which his fellow citizens have in him. He is a widely informed man on a great variety of subjects and
impresses his individuality upon the county in which he has played such an important and distinguished part for so many years.
Charles W. Daws, the son of Thomas and Charlotte (NEAVS) DAWS, was born in Lena, Stephenson County, Illinois, April 18, 1855. His parents
were both born in Sussex, England, and did not come to this country until after their marriage. They landed in New York harbor in 1841 and for the
first two years lived in New York state. From there they moved to Wisconsin, and a year later the family permanently located in Lena, Illinois, where
Thomas Daws entered a tract of government land, which he cleared, improved and made one of the most productive farms of his community. He
was an extensive breeder of pure blooded sheep and hogs, and became one of the largest stock raisers of his county. He was a charter member
of the Mutual Insurance Company of Lena, Illinois, and took a prominent part in everything pertaining to the welfare of his county. He held several
offices as a representative of the Whig Party, and later as a member of the Republican Party. He and his wife were both prominent members of
the Baptist Church. He was born in January 1815 and died in 1890, and his wife was born in January 1818 and died in 1895. Twelve children
were born to Thomas Daws and wife and ten were reared to maturity: Thomas, deceased, who was a mechanic at Cresco, Iowa; Mary E.,
deceased, who was the wife of B. F. Wire; Henry, a retired farmer of San Diego, California; Sarah, the wife of Eliab Meyers of Bellefield, North
Dakota; Alfred, a farmer of Guthrie Center, Iowa; Margaret, the wife of Edward Kleckner of Kent, Illinois; Carrie, the deceased wife of C.E. Graves;
Elias, deceased; Charles W., whose history is here presented; and Addie, the wife of H. M. Royer of Lena, Illinois.
Charles W. Daws was educated in the common schools of Lena, Illinois, and lived at home until he was twenty-four years of age. He came to
Shelby County, Iowa, March 17, 1879, with a team, driving from his home in Illinois to this county. He worked out for farmers, breaking their land
during the spring of 1879 and also did threshing during that and the following year. After his marriage in 1881, he rented a farm for a while and in
1883 bought some unimproved land in Center township. As he prospered, he added to his holdings until he now owns two hundred and forty
acres of well improved land in this township. He raised pure blooded Poland China hogs for several years, beginning in 1884 and in 1887 started
to breed fine bred Shorthorn cattle. He has been exceptionally successful as a stock raiser and has been active in everything pertaining to the
stock raising business of his county. He served on the board of directors of the Shelby County Fair Association for fourteen years and was one of
the promoters of the Fine Stock Exchange of Shelby County, an organization of which he served as president until January 1912.
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Mr. Daws has one of the finest improved farms in Center Township and the most attractive and beautiful home in the county. The fine, modern
residence of eight rooms sets well back from the highway on a beautiful lawn shaded by trees of fifteen different varieties. This farm is known as
"Pinehurst." A grove of beautiful evergreen trees shades the driveway and forms a windbreak. A handsome iron fence fronts the highway. The
grounds are laid out as by an expert. The farm buildings are modern and convenient. White towers predominate on the buildings. Two large
barns occupy appropriate places. A carriage house, corn crib, poultry house, etc., are arranged in harmony with the general scheme. Mr. Daws is
driector and vice president of the Harlan and Avoca Telephone Company.
Mr. Daws was married February 19, 1881, to Elizabeth WOMER, of Lena, Illinois, who was born at Winslow, Illinois, October 13, 1859, the daughter
of John and Catharine (Stahlman) Womer, natives of Pennsylvania. To this union has been born one son, James Leroy, who married May
Walters. The Womer family settled in Illinois and there died. They were the parents of twelve children, seven living to maturity: Priscilla, Edward,
James, Anna, Rhoda, Mrs. Daws, George. James is now farming his father's place in Center Township and is the father of two children, Charles
Frederick and Blanche Elizabeth.
Mr. Daws moved to Harlan in 1913 and is now building a beautiful home on South Tenth Street, which will cost nearly seven thousand dollars. He
and his wife are loyal members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Harlan and take an active interest in all church work. Mr. Daws is a trustee of
the church at the present time. Politically, he has been identified with the Republican Party and in addition to serving as trustee of his township for
fourteen years, he served as school director for several years. He is a man of great energy and when his hearty support is given to any measure, it
seems that he will do anything in its behalf. He is one of the most highly respected citizens of the county and at the same time one of the leaders
who have been instrumental in placing this county to the front in agricultural matters.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, p. 928.
Contributed by: Mona Sarratt Knight
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In a city like Harlan, which is the center of a large agricultural community and a very prosperous one, there is naturally a large number of retired
farmers who have prospered exceedingly during an active life on the farm and have moved to the city in order to enjoy the comforts and
conveniences of an urban residence. A. W. Barton of Harlan is one of Shelby County's best known retired agriculturists who takes a keen interest
in civic affairs and has always been found in the forefront of those activities which have for their intention the advancement of the public weal. Mr.
Barton is one of the pioneers of the county as was his father before him. Mr. Barton comes of a family of early settlers, his father having been a
pioneer settler all of his life in three states.
Adolphus Walter Barton was born near Waupaca, Wisconsin, April 9, 1853, and is the son of Merils and Polona (DARLING) BARTON, natives of New
York. Merils Barton was born near Jamestown, Chautauqua County, New York, September 1, 1823. He was descended from one of the old
colonial families which traced its origin to England and Wales and settled at an early date in New England, his father and mother being natives of
Vermont. There were fourteen children in his father's family. The Barton family were pioneers in western New York, where they engaged in
farming, but the principal business was the operation of a saw mill in the manufacture of lumber which was run down the Allegheny and Ohio
Rivers to Cincinnati, Ohio. In his younger days, Merils Barton did considerable hunting and disposed of the venison which he killed in Buffalo, New
York. He became an expert in the use of the rifle and up to the time of his death took great delight in attending shooting matches, and invariably
excelled his younger friends in marksmanship. His early upbringing was a rigorous one, the section of New York in which the family resided being
in those early days covered with a heavy growth of timber, whose removal required the utmost exertion in order that the settler might clear a place
for a habitation.
In the year 1851, Merils BARTON was married to Polona DARLING, the daughter of James Darling, botn in 1837 in Cataraugas County, New York. In
the year 1852, they emigrated to Wisconsin and settled near the town of Waupaca. He engaged in timber cutting in Wisconsin and also engaged
in trading. He entered land under a patent from James Buchanan and cleared about two hundred forty acres which he tilled until 1869. In that
year, he disposed of his Wisconsin holdings and after a two years' residence in northeastern Iowa, came to Shelby County where he invested in a
trace of two hundred sixty acres in Center Township, part of which was covered with timber. He conducted a general farming and gradually
increased his holdings until he owned at one time one thousand three hundred acres of land in this county. He was an extensive stock raiser and
shipper of live stock, shipping many thousands of cattle to the Chicago markets.
The elder Barton was well known throughout Shelby County and served one term as a member of the county board of supervisors. He made
friends readily and generally retained them, being a man of genial disposition. His honesty and integrity was absolute, and his creed in life was
exemplified by the Golden Rule, "Do unto others as ye would that others should do unto you." Mr. Barton died at his home near Kirkman, April 11,
1905, practically of old age. He reared a family of four children, Adolphus Walter, of whom this narrative deals; Mrs. Luella Julia (Baughn), Orlo, a
residen of Puyallup, Washington; Leverett, who married Phoebe Miles. The mother of these children died February 3, 1896.
Adolphus Walter Barton received hiseducation in the schools of Wisconsin and Iowa, and the Council Bluffs high school. After finishing his
schooling, he taught school for six terms in Center Township. He then farmed on the home farm for two years, after which he invested in a drug
store in partnership with Dr. Watters at Harlan and was thus engaged for three years. In 1883, he moved to a farm of one hundred sixty acres
which had been given him by his father in Douglas Township, in addition to one hundred sixty acres which he had purchased and began farming
for himself. He engaged in general farming and stock raising. He was very successful in his farming operations and increased his holdings to
five hundred acres of well improved land. Mr. Barton has been an extensive live stock producer, keeping as high as two hundred head of cattle on
his farm, mostly graded stock which generally topped the market. A shipment of Mr. Barton's cattle was sold at the top price in the Chicago market
on a day when forty thousand head were sold, he receiving seven dollars and eighty cents per hundred. His operations involved from three to four
carloads of cattle and about four carloads of hogs annually. Since November of 1913, Mr. Barton has resided in Harlan and from this city he
continues to direct his farming operations.
A. W. Barton was married October 16, 1881, to Elsie SWETT, daughter of Alanson and Jane (TINSLEY) SWETT. To this union have been born three
children: Mabel, Eva, and Merrill. Mabel is the wife of David Gibson and resides at Kirkman. Eva and Merrill are at home with their parents. Mr.
Barton always has been known as an independent voter and is inclined to be progressive in his political views, taking the broad and stable ground
that the individual best fitted to perform the duties of an official position is of more importance than the political party which he represents. He has
always taken a ore or less active part in civic and political affairs, having served as mayor of Kirkman and as a member of the Harlan city council.
he is a member of the Woodmen of the World.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, p. 1340.
Contributed by: Mona Sarratt Knight
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Some histories of men read like a romance and such is the history of Francis plumb, a wealthy farmer of Shelby county, now retired
in Harlan. His life is intensely interesting because of the hard struggle of him and his brave wife in their start in life. They came from
England to this country immediately after their marriage and landed with hardly any money. They borrowed enough money to bring them to
the state and when they finally reached their destination they were fifty dollars in debt. They came by rail as far as St. Joseph, Missouri,
and waited there three days before they could board a steamboat to take them to Mills county, Iowa, where they intended to locate. When
they reached St. Joseph, their money was gone and they slept three nights in the railroad station. They now look back and smile at the
hardship of those early days.
Today Francis Plumb and his wife are living in one of the finest homes in Harlan, own five hundred and twenty acres of the best land in
Shelby county, crossed by a railroad as well as one hundred and sixty acres in South Dakota, and six hundred and forty acres in Nebraska.
Francis Plumb, the son of William and Sarah (GRAY) PLUMB, was born February 6, 1846, in Barrowby Lincolnshire, England. His
father was born in the same shire on February 26, 1811 and his mother on February 25, 1821. The father died May 12, 1884 and the
mother passed away on April 22, 1902. William Plumb received a meager education in the schools of Lincolnshire and was a farmer all his
life in his native land. There were six children born to William Plumb and wife: George, Valentine, Francis, Thomas, John and Ann. George
and Ann are deceased.
Francis Plumb became a farm laborer at the age of seven and received very little education. However, he has been a great reader all
his life and has supplemented the meager education of his younger days. He received seven cents a day for his labor when he began and
when he reached the age of thirteen, he received the munificent salary of eleven dollars and forty cent a year. He continued work on the
farms in Lincolnshire until he was nineteen years old and then went to Chatham, Kent, England, and found employment in the shipyards of
that place. There he worked three years, married and immediately he and his young bride decided to come to America.
They temporarily settled in Mills county in 1886 and there Mr. Plumb worked for his uncle for a little over three years. He then rented
a farm of eighty acres and lived on it for the next three years. They came to Shelby county in 1875, bought eighty acres of unimproved
land in Lincoln township and moved on it in 1876. From that beginning they increased their holdings until they held six hundred and eighty
acres in this county and South Dakota, also six hundred and forty acres in Nebraska, Boone and Antelope counties. This is the result of
excellent management and good judgement in business.
Mr. Plumb was married at Chatham, Kent, England, March 28, 1868 to Grace McKimmon. She was born January 9, 1845, near
Dover in Kent, the daughter of Peter and Grace (McClellen) McKimmon, and her parents were both natives of Scotland. Mr. McKimmon
was born in 1807 and died in 1871, his wife was born in 1814 and died in 1867. He was a sailor and during the latter part of his life was a
coast guard in England. He was in the Crimean War (1852 - 1854) and had a very creditable record in that conflict. Nine children were
born to Mr. McKimmon and wife: Edward, William, Peter, Daniel, Jeannie, Archibald, Grace, Adam and Margaret, of these children there
are but four living: Peter, Adam, Margaret and Grace, the wife of Mr. Plumb.
Mr. Plumb and wife are the parents of seven children: William V., John E., Robert F., Margaret, Alfred, Lillian and Florence. William
V., married Katherine Kohl and has four children: Unia, Gladys, Lotis and Grace. John E., married Alice Dickey and has five children: Ella,
Alta, Francis, Lyle and Harold. John E., died June 10, 1905. Robert E. married Josephine Myers and has three children: Fred, George and
Oscar. Robert’s wife died in 1904, and he then married Mary Phillips, three children being born to his second marriage: Blanche, Gayland
and Floyd. Margaret is the wife of George Menzel. Alfred married Inez Custer and has three children: Totis, Veda and Iva. Lillian died
September 6, 1878. Florence married Ira McIntyre and has one child, Francis.
Mr. Plumb is a Republican and has been active in the politics of his community. He served as road supervisor of his township and gave
his fellow citizens faithful and efficient service. The family are devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Plumb was a
trustee and steward in the church for many years. He has been identified with the history of Shelby county for the past forty years and in
all that time has been one of the men who always did everything within his power to advance the interests of his community.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 1181-1183.
Contributed by: Donald Kohl and Marthann Kohl
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The accumulation of a fine farm of three hundred and sixty acres in Shelby County, Iowa, entitles the owner to be classed
among the successful farmers of his county. This has been accomplished by Cyrus E. Graves, who is now living a retired life in Harlan after many
yeas of hard toil on the farm. He and his wife started in with nothing but their good health and the willingness to work and save and by their
combined efforts were able to raise themselves to a position of affluence in the county where they had once lived in a rude log cabin. Mr. Graves
has been a good manager and has understood how to cultivate his ground in order to get the maximum results from his labors, a fact which is
very apparent to those who have followed his career in the county.
Cyrus E. Graves was born in Jo Daviess County, Illinois, February 23, 1849, and was the son of Homer and Almira (MACOMBER) GRAVES. Homer,
the son of Consider and Mettie (Wait) Graves, was born March 31, 1811, in the state of New York. Consider Graves took his family to Ohio in the
year 1818 and shortly after was accidentally drowned in that state. The widow and her children later moved to Jo Daviess county, Illinois, where
she married Mr. Moore. To her second union was born one son, Joseph, who is now deceased. Consider Graves and wife were the parents of six
children: Hubbard, Alvire, Homer, Charles, William and Emelie. All of these children have long since passed away.
Homer Graves, the father of Cyrus, was only seven years of age when his father was drowned. He received but little education in the schools of
New York and Ohio and when a small lad started to work for himself. He learned the carpenter's trade and followed that for several years in the
state of Illinois. He invested his money in government land in Jo Daviess county Illinois, where he had gone in 1836 and at his death in 1889
owned three hundred and forty acres of well improved land in that county. His wife died in Illinois in 1865. He was a justice of the peace for many
years and held various township and county offices in his time. He was a Whig during the life of that party and on the organization of the
Republican party in 1856 became an enthusiastic supporter of its policies. Homer Graves and his wife reared a large family of eleven children:
(1) Horace married Mary Fairfield, moved to Shelby County, Iowa, in 1869 and at the time of his death in 1899 was one of the wealthiest farmes of
the county. His widow is now living in Harlan. (2) Julia is single and makes her home at the old homestead in Jo Daviess County, Illinois. (3)
Homer married Sarah Werkheiser, now deceased, and is a merchant in Norfolk, Nebraska. (4) Cyrus, the fourth child, is the subject of this review.
(5) Emelie is the widow of Dr. J. N. Sharp and makes her residence in Jo Daviess County, Illinois. (6) Charles, whose history is found elsewhere
in this volume, is one of the prominent farmers of Shelby County. (7) Mary died at the age of seventeen. (8) Anna is single and lives in Jo Daviess
County, Illinois. (9) A daughter who died in infancy was the ninth child. (10) John is a retired farmer of Jo Daviess County, Illinois. (11) George is a
farmer in Gage County, Nebraska.
Cyrus E. Graves received a limited education in the schools of Jo Daviess County, Illinois, and worked on the old home farm until the spring of
1870. He then came to Shelby County, Iowa, and located on a farm in Center township about six miles east of Harlan. He bought one hundred
and twenty acres and moved on to it in 1873 after his marriage in that year. Two years later, he sold his first purchase and bought another farm in
the same township which he has since retained. While he has known what hard times are, he never has been disheartened on account of
misfortunes. He has managed his farm so successfully that he has been able to increase his acreage until he now has three hundred and sixty
acres in Center Township. He has two complete sets of farm buildings on his land and has everything about the farm in excellent repair. In 1912,
he retired from the farm and is now living in the county seat in his handsome home at 1210 West Durant Street.
Mr. Graves was married February 25, 1872, to Carrie DAWS. She is the daughter of Thomas and Charlotte (Nieves) Daws and was born in
Stephenson County, Illinois. Her parents were born in England and moved to Stephenson County, Illinois, where they remained during the
remainder of their lives. Mrs. Graves died April 2, 1912. To Mr. Graves and wife were born five children: Rodney, Lottie, Chloe, John and Azalia.
Rodney is a prosperous farmer of Center Township where he has a farm of one hundred and sixty acres. Lottie is the wife of William Barkman of
Jackson Township and has four children, Hellen, Glyn, Eugene and Kenneth. Chloe and Azalia are living with their father in Harlan. John, who is
farming the old homestead, married Eva Vernon and has four children: Ellsworth, Leonard, Clara and Lillian.
Mr. Graves is a Republican but has never taken an active part in political affairs, preferring to devote all of his time and attention to his agricultural
duties. He is a member of the Methodist Church and has always contributed of his means to its support. Mr. Graves is well known throughout the
county and always has so conducted himself as to win the approval of those with whom he has been associated. He has gone through the
experiences of the pioneer days of this county and well deserves the rest from the hard labor which was his portion for so many years. He can
look back over a long life which has been devoted to the best interests of those dependent on him and feel that he has never been recreant to his
obligations to himself, to his family or to the community of which he has been such a valuable member. Such men are the bulwark of any
community, and it seems eminently fitting that the life of such a sterling pioneer be included in the biographical annals of his county.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, p. 1368.
Contributed by: Mona Sarratt Knight
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A veteran of the Civil War and a retired farmer of Harlan, Iowa, Frank S. Kays is now leading a life of ease after long years of hard
labor. He enlisted for the service of his country when he reached his seventeenth birthday and served for two years in many of the hardest fought
battles of the Civil War. He has been a resident of this county for nearly forty years and engaged in farming pursuits with such success that he was
able to retire several years ago with a comfortable competence for his declining years. Frank S. KAYS, the son of William and Rebecca
(SIMPKINS) KAYS, was born in March 1846 in the northwestern part of Pennsylvania. His parents were both natives of the same state and moved
to Grant County, Wisconsin in 1849. The following year, the terrible cholera scourge visited the state and his father, mother, two sisters and one
brother succumbed to the dread disease. The children of William KAYS and wife are as follows: William, John, Frank S., George, Laura, James
R., Dorothy, and the three who died of cholera in 1850. William Jr. enlisted twice during the Civil War and is now a retired farmer in Washington
County, Kansas. John, who served through the Civil War as a member of the 25th Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, is a retired farmer at
Noel, Missouri. George, also a soldier during the Civil War, is a blacksmith at Independence, Iowa. Laura is the deceased wife of Calvin
RUSSELL. James R. is a blacksmith at Waterloo, Iowa. Dorothy, widow of George MAIM, a famous musician, resides at Independence, Iowa.
The parents of Frank S. KEYS died when he was only four years of age, and he was then taken and reared to manhood by E. P. PHILBROOK of
Grant County, Wisconsin. He received very little schooling, being compelled when a mere lad to begin work for himself and by the time the Civil
War had opened, he was over in Iowa working on the farms in that state. As soon as he was old enough, he enlisted at Independence, Iowa, in
Company B, 4th Regiment, Iowa Volunteer Cavalry, which regiment was at once sent to Memphis, Tennessee, in order to participate in the
campaign against Vicksburg. At Memphis, his regiment was attached to the command of General Sturgess and made a part of the Third Army
Corps. They went to Gunntown and were soon ordered back to Memphis where they were placed under the command of General A. J. Smith. The
next move took them to Mississippi where they had a cavalry battle of three days' duration with General Forrest at Tupelo. They fought around
Vicksburg until the surrender of the city on the Fourth of July 1863. After this stronghold of the south had fallen into the hands of the Union soldiers,
the regiment to which Mr. KAYS was attached was taken by boat to Memphis and from there was sent to join General Grant in the eastern part of
Tennessee. He took part in all of General Sherman's battles on the famous trip through Georgia in the summer of 1864 and was with that general
until the final surrender of Johnston in North Carolina in April 1865. He was mustered out of the service at Atlanta, GA., August 8, 1865, being only
nineteen years of age at the time he left the army and received his final discharge at Davenport, Iowa, about August 16.
Mr. KAYS found work for his hands to do on the farms near Independence and continued to reside there until his marriage in Marshalltown, Iowa,
in 1870. Immediately after his marriage, he located in Marshall County, Iowa, and lived in that county until 1876. In that year, he came with his
family to Shelby County and rented a farm in Lincoln Township. In a short time, he bought a farm of 80 acres in Cass Township and subsequently
added 40 more acres to his farm. He has made all of the improvements on his farm and has so tilled it that he has obtained the maximum results
from his efforts. He has carried on general farming, dividing his attention between the raising of crops and the breeding of high-class live stock. In
1908 he sold his farm and retired to Harlan where he bought a fine home at 1214 West Durant Street.
Mr. KAYS was married October 21, 1870 in Marshalltown, Iowa, to Anna VAUGHN, the daughter of Nathan and Edna (KENNEDY) VAUGHN, both
of whom were born in Nova Scotia. The parents of Mrs. Kays, after the birth of Anna in Renfrow County, Canada, January 5, 1853, moved to
Princeton, Illinois; later they located in Davenport, Iowa, and a few years afterward settled in Marshalltown, Iowa, where they lived until their death.
Mr. VAUGHN was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, while his wife adhered to the Baptist faith. Ten children were born to them:
Thomas, deceased; Anna, the wife of Mr. Kays; Edward, deceased; Effie, widow of Colonel SANFORD, who is living in the state of Washington;
Lucy HUBLER, Marshalltown, Iowa; Bessie HIGGINS, Ida Grove, Iowa; Edna S., deceased; Margaret McDANIEL, who is living near Seattle,
Washington; Nathan, deceased; Hannah MOORE, a resident of Buchanan County, Iowa.
Mr. Kays and his wife had one son, Frank, who died at the age of twenty-one. They have one adopted daughter, Ora Blanche DUNLAP, the wife of
John W. BARE. Mr. BARE and his wife are living near Superior, Wisconsin, and have two children, Nellie and Louis Dale.
Politically, Mr. KAYS always has been a stanch Republican but has never aspired to official life. He and his wife are loyal members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church and are liberal contributors to its support. Mr. KAYS is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic Post at Harlan,
while his wife is a member of the Woman's Relief Corps. They are fine people and are highly respected and beloved by everyone who knows
them.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, p. 1371.
Contributed by: Mona Sarratt Knight
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John Thielan, now living a retired life at Panama, Iowa, was born in the Rhine Province of Germany, May 5, 1850, son of Jacob and Elizabeth
(Close) Thielan. His mother died in Germany and his father came to America in 1885, located in Chicago for a short time and then moved to
Monterey, California, where his death occurred in 1893. There were nine children born to Jacob Thielan and wife: Lena, Margaret, Jacob,
Henry, Mary, John, Annie, Annie Marie and Angeline. Lena became the wife of Matthew Schomert. Margaret is the wife of Henry Schmitz.
Mary is the wife of Nicholas Urbanus. Henry married Miss Hosman. Anna is the wife of Joseph Khambley. Anna Marie became the wife of
Michael Becker.
John Thielan has been twice married. He was first married to Clara Kramer, and to this union six children were born: Clara, Joseph, Charles,
Annie, Jacob and one who died in infancy. Two of these children, Annie and Jacob, died in youth. Clara became the wife of Peter Pauley and
has eight children: Theo, Clara, Elnora, Loretta, Alma, Joseph, John and Barbara. Joseph Thielan married Lena Kenkel and has four
children: John, Raymond, Bernard, and Raymond. Charles Thielan married Eva Schober.
The mother of these six Thielan children died and John Thielan subsequently married Lena Stoltz, daughter of Jacob and Walburger
(Bookberger) Stoltz, and to this second marriage, six children were born: Barbara, Elizabeth, John, Josephine, Louis and Francis. Barbara
became the wife of Chris Muenchrath and has four children: Leo, Beatrice, Edna, and Edmond. Elizabeth married Nicholas Leuschen, and
has three children: Helde, Henrietta, and Marie. John married Thresia Greves, and has one daughter, Marie. Josephine married Peter
Schomer, and has one daughter, Cornelia. Louis and Francis are still single.
Mrs. Thielan's parents were born in Germany and lived there all of their days. Her father was a prominent farmer in the community in which he
lived and a man of industry and ability. Mr. Stoltz and wife reared a family of 9 children, all of whom are still living: Frank, John, Cynthia,
Cecelia, Aloysius, Michael, Thresia, Francis and Lena, the wife of Mr. Thielan.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, p. 1486.
Contributed by: Volunteer
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