1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa
Page Index:
Linn |
Sullivan |
Muller |
Koppold |
Spickler |
Leytham |
Yunck |
Coenen |
Kingsbury
A worthy citizen of Shelby county, Iowa, is Franklin B. Linn, who has met with definite success in his agricultural career. He came to this county
forty years ago, when he was a babe in arms, and consequently has been identified with the history of the county for a long time. He is a man of
splendid education and is a wide reader of everything which pertains to his own chosen profession, and thus keeps in close touch with the latest ad-
vances in agriculture. He is a man who is deeply interested in the welfare of his community, and by his upright conduct and correct principles of life
he has endeared himself to a wide circle of friends and acquaintances.
Franklin B. Linn, the son of Jacob B. and Hester Ann (Chilcoat) Linn, was born, in Huntington county, Pennsylvania, July i6, 1873. His father was born in the same county on March 16, 1839, and his mother was born on December 15, 1835, and was a native also of Huntington county. They were married on October 7, 1864, immediately after his father's return from the Civil War. Jacob B. Linn was attending school in his home county when the war broke out in i86i. Jacob B. Linn enlisted on April 23, 1861, in response to President Lincoln's call for fifty thousand volunteers, in Company F, Eighth Pennsylvania Reserve. He served for three years. He fought at Gainesville and in the Seven Days' Peninsular Cam paign battles, was taken prisoner June 27, 1861, and was sent to Libby prison. He spent sixty days here and at Belle Isle, experiencing all the horrors of these terrible prisons. After his exchange he was unfit for duty and. was sent to the United States Hospital in New jersey, but escaped from the hospital and joined his regiment at Sharpsburg, Maryland. Other battles participated in by Mr. Linn were Sharpsburg, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Battle of the Wilderness, and Seven Days' Battle before Richmond.
He returned to his father's farm in Huntington county, Pennsylvania, married and lived in his native county until 1874, in which year he came to
Shelby county, Iowa, and bought one hundred and twenty acres of unimproved land in Shelby township. His first home was a rude cabin, fourteen
by sixteen feet, and a barn of still smaller dimensions. That he succeeded is shown by the fact that when he died, in 1893, he was the owner of seven
hundred and sixty acres of well-improved land in Shelby county and South Dakota. There were eight children born to Jacob B. Linn and wife, Ambrose B., Kenny, Anna Laura (Best), Roy S., Walter, Franklin B. and Dr. Hugh H. Of these children two are deceased, Anna Laura (Best) and Walter. Dr. Hugh H. Linn is a physician and minister in the southern part of India, where he is serving as a physician and missionary for the Methodist Episcopal church. The mother of these children is now living with her son, Franklin B.
The education of Franklin B. Linn was received in the district schools and in the high school at Shelby. He has always remained on the farm and managed a part of his father's estate from the time of his marriage, in 1899, until 1908. In that year he bought one hundred arid sixty acres of his father's farm and at once erected a beautiful country home and a large and commodious barn. He has placed other improvements upon the farm and has brought it to a high state of cultivation and productivity. He keeps only the best grades of horses, cattle and hogs, and is known throughout the county as one of its most progressive farmers.
Mr. Linn was married on December 7, 1899 to Elizabeth Walker, who was born in Johnson county, Iowa, on January 10, 1875. She was the daughter of John Walker, who was born in Johnson county, Iowa, in 1851, and Sarah Woodruff, who was born in Ohio in 1855. To this union have been born nine children, Harry, Dwight, Gladys, Laura, Hugh, Jacob, Fern, Frank and Leslie. All of these children are still living and at home with the exception of Laura, who is deceased. Mrs. Linn's parents came to Shelby county in 1890 and located on a farm in Shelby township. John Walker removed to Oklahoma in 1894, where Mrs. Walker died in 1905. They were the parents of four children, Sherman (in Oklahoma), Mrs. Elizabeth Linn; Samuel (Oklahoma), and Mrs. Hattie Egnew (Oklahoma).
Politically, Mr. Linn is allied with the Republican party and has been one of his party's leaders for many years. He is now the able incumbent of the office of trustee in his township and has held this position for the past four years. He and his family are loyal and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church and give it their hearty support at all times. Mr. Linn is a man of genial personality and is highly respected by everyone with whom he is associated.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa.
Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
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A safe and conservative bank in any community is one of the most valuable assets in the life of the community. It not only serves as a safe depository for the funds of the citizens which make up the community, but when properly officered, the bank becomes the patron saint, as it were, of the various enterprises in which the community is interested. The Panama Savings Bank, of Panama, Iowa, is an institution which is a vital part of the life of the community which it serves, and under the able and efficient management of Eugene Sullivan it is filling a distinct place in the life of Panama and the surrounding territory. Mr. Sullivan has been connected with the bank for the past seventeen years, and has seen it grow from a small concern with deposits of forty-six hundred dollars to a thriving institution with one hundred and forty thousand dollars on deposit.
Eugene Sullivan, the cashier of the Panama Savings Bank, was born in Jones county, Iowa, February 24, 1867. His parents, Eugene and Mary (Ratigan) Sullivan, were both natives of Ireland, his father being born in County Cork, and his mother in County Galway. They came to this country
before their marriage and were married in Norwich, Connecticut. Eugene Sullivan, Sr., was given a fine education in his native land, and after leaving
school taught in Ireland for a time and then took up the study of civil engineering, devoting his time and attention to that profession until he left Ireland for America. Upon coming to this country, several years before the Civil War, he followed his profession of civil engineering in Jones county, Iowa, where he settled with his family. He laid out many of the roads in the county, taught school and was a man of great influence. Before locating in Jones county, Iowa, he had taught in the parochial school of Norwich, Connecticut, for eight years, and from there had gone to McHenry county, Illinois, where he also taught school. He came to Jones county, Iowa, about the close of the Civil War and bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, on which he lived until about 1884. In the latter year he came to Shelby county and settled in Washington township, where he purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land. He continued to increase his land holdings from time to time until at the time of his death, December 13, 1895, he was the owner of eleven hundred and eighty acres of well-improved land. He was probably the largest stock raiser in the county at that time, selling his cattle and hogs by the carload each year. He and his wife, who died June 27, 1872, were the parents of ten children: John, deceased; Julia, the wife of Thomas Keane; Lawrence, deceased; John, who married Mary Herman; Mary, single; Anna, deceased; Michael, deceased; Eugene, the subject of this review; Bridget, the wife of Joseph R. White; Dennis, who married Ida McAllister.
Eugene Sullivan, Jr., received his education in the schools of Jones county, although the most of his education was received under the excellent
instruction of his father at home. He remained at home assisting his father in the management of his large estate until he was twenty-eight years of age, and then began farming for himself. In 1897 he engaged in the banking business in the bank of which he is now the cashier. In 1906 he and his brother, Dennis L., who is now president of the bank, reorganized it with a capital of twenty thousand dollars. They changed the name of the bank from the Bank of Panama to the Panama Savings Bank. This bank has had a successful career from the time of its organization and is now recognized as one of the sound financial institutions of a county which is noted for its excellent banks.
Mr. Sullivan was married on May 16, 1900, to Mary Lehan, the daughter of Edward and Margaret (McDonald) Lehan, and to this union four children have been born, Edward, Elizabeth, Robert and Edward. The oldest son, Edward, died, and the last son born to Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan was then given the same name of Edward. Mrs. Sullivan's parents were both natives of County Cork, Ireland, and came to this country when they were quite young and were married in Dunlap, Iowa. Her father was a railroad engineer and is now living in Dunlap, while her mother died June 9, 1913.
Mr. Sullivan and all of his family are devout members of the Catholic church, while he holds his membership in the Knights of Columbus. Politically, he is identified with the Democratic party, but owing to his financial interests has never taken an active part in political matters, since it has not been possible for him to be active and remain in charge of the affairs of the bank. Consequently, he has left political questions to others more fortunately situated to handle them. He is a man who is deeply interested in the welfare of his community and gives his enthusiastic support to all public-spirited measures.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa.
Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
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One of the many German farmers of Douglas township, Shelby county, Iowa, is Wendel Koppold, who has been a resident of this county since 1882, the year when his parents located in this same county. Mr. Koppold has met with unusual success in his agricultural operations, as is shown by his well-improved farm of three hundred and seventy-five acres in Douglas township, on which he is now living. This fine farm is the direct result of his industry, perseverance and good business judgment and shows that he has been among the most progressive farmers of his township and county. Wendel Koppold, the son of Michael and Eva (Schecklinger*) Koppold, was born in Bavaria, Germany, October 8, 1870. He is one of eighteen children born to his parents, eleven of whom are still living: John, George, Joseph, Michael, Louis, Theresa, Mary, Wendel. Thomas, Francis and Martin.
Michael Koppold followed the trade of a blacksmith in his native land and continued in that occupation until he came to America in 1882. Upon his arrival in this country he immediately went west and located on the farm in Shelby county, Iowa, where his son, Wendel, is now living. He prospered from the start and was actively engaged in farming until about 1900, when he retired and moved to Westphalia, where he lived until his death, August 31, 1913. His widow is still residing in Westphalia. Wendel Koppold. was twelve years of age when his parents came from Germany to Shelby county, Iowa, and consequently most of his education
was received in the schools of his native land. He assisted his father on the home farm in Shelby county until he reached his majority and then began to work out as a farm hand, and also helped his father on his large farm. He remained at home until 1894, and then married and bought one hundred and twenty acres and began farming for himself. He lived on this farm for five years and then sold it and bought the old home place of three hundred and seventy-five acres in Douglas township. He has placed many improvements upon this farm since acquiring it and has rotated his crops in such a manner as to keep the soil at its maximum productivity. He raises about one hundred and seventy-five acres of corn each year and sells most of his grain. He feeds about fifty head of hogs and fifty head of cattle each
year, having found by experience, as have other farmers in this county, that stock raising is more profitable than the raising of grain.
Mr. Koppold was married January 20, 1894, to Mary Guderjohn, a daughter of Gottlieb and Margaret Anna Guderjohn, and to this union five children have been born: Frank, Rosa, Gottlieb, Otto, Veronia, all of whom are unmarried and still living with their parents.
Mr. Koppold and his family are earnest members of the Catholic church at Westphalia, and are deeply interested in its welfare. Politically, he is identified with the Democratic party and, while taking an intelligent interest in political matters, has never taken an active part in the councils of his party. He has preferred to devote all of his time and energy to his agricultural operations rather than engage in political campaigns. Mr. Koppold is one of the many farmers of this county of German descent, and has contributed in no small measure to the general prosperity of the community in which he resides.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp 800-801.
Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
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It is undoubtedly true that there are many men in this country who are as able to hold high official positions or occupy places of trust as those who have filled these positions. Undoubtedly there are hundreds of men who would make efficient governors and state officials, or town officials and no one questions but that there are plenty of men who might have been more efficient presidents than the men who defeated them. No one would say that Daniel Webster would not have made a more efficient President than Martin Van Buren. Whenever the occasion arises there are always men to meet it; Grant would never have been heard of if the Civil war had not brought him into prominence. He would have died as he was living at the time the war broke out, a poor laboring man. A man who arises above his fellows does so because he has found out how to rise above his surroundings, together with the fact that a simple opportunity presents itself. Many men work for years before they can attain in any way their life's ambition and many of our successful farmers of today worked from twelve to twenty-five and even more years before they have finally acquired a farm of their own. Among the farmers of Shelby county who have worked hard for all they possess today, there is no one more worthy of mention for the honorable life he has led than Calvin B. Spickler, a prosperous farmer of Jefferson township in this county.
Calvin B. Spickler was born in Oakland, Cole county, Illinois, on March 2, 1854, and is the son of Nicholas and Mary (Stephen) Spickler, his father being a native of Maryland. The mother died when Calvin B. Spickler was an infant and consequently her family history has been lost to him. Mr. Spickler married again and by the two marriages was the father of fourteen children, five by the first marriage and nine by the second marriage. The five children by the first marriage are John H., Mrs. Clara Donelson (deceased), Mrs. Elmira Snider (deceased), Calvin B. and Mrs.. Mary E. Snyder.
Calvin B. Spickler was only about two years of age when his father moved from Illinois to Iowa. He was given a common school education and assisted his father on the home farm until he was twenty-one years old. He then worked by the month for four years, after which he married and commenced farming for himself on rented land. The first year he rented seventy acres, and the second year eighty acres. The third year of his married life he came to Shelby county, where he purchased eighty acres in Jefferson township, on which he lived for the next two years. He then made several changes in the township and in 1895 moved to Arkansas, but stayed only about ten weeks. Life in Arkansas was not what it had been pictured to him and he was glad to get back to Shelby county. He at once purchased one hundred
and sixty acres in section 21 of Jefferson township, where he is now living. He carries on general farming and stock raising, making a specialty of Poland-China hogs. Within the last few years he has become interested in the raising of much cows for dairy purposes and now keeps from twelve to fifteen milch cows on hand all the time. He has found the dairy business a profitable venture and has had good success since branching out into this line. Mr. Spickler was married on December 10, 1878, to Elizabeth Traverse, who was born on February 10, 1857, in Maryland, near Hagerstown. She is the daughter of George and Catherine (Cline) Traverse. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania and her mother of Maryland. Mr. and Mrs. Traverse are the parents of eleven children, Mrs. Mary Brown, Mrs. Ema-
line Ambrose, Mrs. Amy Everly, Mrs. Jane Pope, William and Frank and five who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Spickler have three children: Bessie M., the wife of L. E. Wycoff and the mother of six children, four of whom are living, Gladys, Gordon, Norine and Virginia; Marcia and Charles H., who are both under the parental roof.
Mr. Spickler has been a stanch Democrat the most of his life, although he has never hesitated to deviate from the path of party regularity whenever he felt that the best interests of his community were being better served. He prefers to be classed as an independent voter rather than as a partisan. He has never held office and has never been an aspirant for one, preferring to devote his time to his home interests and farm. Religiously, Mrs. Spickler is a member of the United Brethren church, while Mr. Spickler has never formally identified himself with this denomination, yet he takes an interest in church work and contributes to its support. In 1910 Mr. Spickler moved to Irwin for a year, after which he moved back to a farm three-quarters of a mile east of where he is now living. He has been living upon his old farm
continuously since 1912. Mr. Spickler can now see the results of his hard labor for many years. His early dreams have been in a measure realized. He had no desire to become a wealthy man merely but did wish to secure such a competence as would insure him and his family comfort in their declining years. This he has attained and he also has the satisfaction that while attaining it he has never fallen below the true dignity of manhood. His life has been free from those faults which might bring down the censure of his neighbors upon him. He has never neglected an opportunity to assist in the improvement of his community, socially, morally or intellectually, and for this reason he has always had the good will and esteem of his friends and acquaintances.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp 801-803.
Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
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The many retired farmers now living in Defiance, Iowa, are proof that they have been prosperous during their active years. It certainly should be a satisfaction to every man to be able to retire in his declining years and feel that he has plenty to keep him in comfort until the end comes. The farmer
who owns three hundred and twenty acres of excellent farming land in Shelby county has a competency which insures him all of the comforts of modern life and there is no reason why a farmer with such an acreage should continue in active service. One of the substantial retired farmers of Defiance, Iowa, is Jacob Peter Muller, who, by correct principles and well defined methods, has accumulated a farm of three hundred and twenty acres in Union and Greeley townships, Shelby county, Iowa.
Jacob Peter Muller, the son of Peter and Jennie (Gerdes) Muller, was born September 3, 1841, in Germany. His father was a canal boatman in
Germany during his whole life, and carried freight from one port to another in the interior of Germany. He followed this occupation until his death in
1876. His wife had preceded him to the grave many years, her death occurring in 1855. Nine children were born to Peter Muller and wife: Jennie,
John, Meind, Ryclyff, Alice, Jacob, Peter, William, Susan and one who died in infancy. Only one of this family besides Jacob Peter is living in this
country, and that is his sister Susan, who is now making-her home in Illinois.
Jacob P. Muller was educated in the schools of his native land and after leaving school worked upon the farms in his home neighborhood until he
was twenty-five years of age. He came to America in 1866, immediately after the close of the Civil War, and located at Peoria, Illinois. He worked
on a farm near there until his marriage in 1870, when he rented a farm of one hundred and seventy-two acres, living on this Illinois tract for eight
years. In 1878 he brought his family to Greeley township, Shelby county, Iowa, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres from old Judge Macy.
He came in just after the terrible grasshopper scourge, and consequently avoided all of the trials incident to that troublesome period. He has prospered from the start. Although he began with practically nothing, he has succeeded where many have failed and today his broad acres form a glowing tribute to his successful agricultural operations. Mr. Muller has been a large stock raiser, paying particular attention to the raising of hogs, although he also has raised some cattle for the markets. He continued in active farming until 1902, when he bought a comfortable home in Defiance, where he is now living surrounded by all the comforts and conveniences of modern life.
Mr. Muller was married August 8, 1870, at Secor, Illinois, to Matilda Hulsebus, born June 14, 1847, the daughter of Albert Hulsebus, and to this union nine children have been born: Peter, Hannah, Jennie, Albert, Fanny, Mae, Eola, Karl and Alice, deceased in Illinois in 1879. Peter married Hannah Hulsebus, and has thirteen children, Gilbert, Walter, Joseph, Alice, Ruth, Joyce, Mildred, Otto, Homer, Irene, Paul, Aline and Oland, deceased. Hannah married L. E. Curl and has six children, Guy, Louis, Maude, Helen, Hazel and Pauline. Jennie is single and makes her home with her parents in Defiance. Albert married Hannah Hulsebus and has three children, Donald, Neva and Beneta. Fanny is single and living with her parents. Mae is the wife of Dwight Williams, and has three children, Ella, Harry and Mae. Eola married Samuel Keilley. Karl married Minnie Curl and has two daughters, Maude and Cleone. The grandchildren are all single and living with their parents. Mrs. Muller's parents were natives of Germany, as was Mrs. Muller. Coming to this country in an early day, they located in Illinois. After remaining in that state for six years they removed to Iowa and located in Union township, Shelby county. They lived in this county the remainder of their days arid reared a family of twenty-three children, Albert Hulsebus having been married three times.
Mr. Muller has been a life-long Democrat, and always has been more or less interested in local political affairs. In his younger days he served as
township trustee and as school director and in both capacities rendered I his fellow citizens faithful and efficient service. The members of the family are
all loyal adherents of the German Lutheran church, and are generous contributors to its support.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pages 1307-1309.
Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
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The lessons learned from the perusal of the lives of successful men of every walk of life is embodied in the phrase or admonition which has been handed down to mankind through countless generations, "Whatsoever thou doest, do it with all thy might." It is an incontrovertible fact that whatever a really successful man has accomplished is the result of concentrated effort along a certain line. It is necessary for a professional man, banker, merchant or manufacturer to apply himself diligently to the task at hand in order to gain the coveted rewards. It is likewise just as necessary for the tiller of the soil to apply brains and industry to the proper cultivation of his broad acres. The world of the present is no place for the idler or dreamer-only the industrious may succeed. Intelligence is also in demand. An agriculturist of prominence who has achieved marked and well-defined success, not only as a tiller of the land but as a citizen and official of Shelby county, is Thomas
Leytham, who has been a resident of his county for nearly sixty years and whose father was one of the earliest of the pioneers of this county.
Thomas Leytham, of Center township, son of Richard and Elizabeth (Taylor) Leytham, was born in Liverpool, England, November 16, I862. His parents were natives of Lancashire and Liverpool, England, respectively. Richard Leytham was the son of an English farmer and received his education in his native land. He assisted his father on the home farm until he was married. After his marriage he operated a meat market for a number of years and then engaged in the manufacture of soft drinks until the year 1854, when he set sail for Canada, locating near Toronto, in the province of Ontario. He became a bridge builder and assisted in the construction of the' Grand Trunk railway, then being built across the continent. He remained in Canada until 1855, and then emigrated to Florence, Nebraska, where he followed various occupations as a laborer for several years. He eventually took up farming and operated a rented farm until 1865, when he came to Shelby county and purchased a farm of sixty acres in Cass township at five dollars an acre. This land was unimproved and not a single furrow had been turned upon it by the plow. The county had few settlers and neighbors were often miles distant from each other. A cabin was erected upon the pioneer farm and its occupants eventually prospered. Richard Leytham increased his land holdings to the total of two hundred and twenty acres and farmed his land actively until the year 1894. In that year he removed to a life of retirement in the town of Persia, where he died on April 8, 1911, at the age of eighty-eight years.
To Richard and Elizabeth Leytham were born twelve children: John, Thomas, Elinore, Robert, Jane, Richard, Margaret, Eunice and William. Sarah married Ephraim Puckett. Robert married May Lyons. Jane became the wife of Henry Benning. Richard is also married. Margaret died at the age of twelve years. Eunice married Fred Howe. William wedded Lillian Atkinson. John married Hannah Mackland. Elinore married Josiah Williams. The mother of these children died September 26, 1909, aged eighty-three years.
Thomas Leytham was three years of age when his parents removed to Canada from England. He received a very limited schooling in Nebraska and Cass township, in Shelby county. Neither locality in which his boyhood days were spent were provided with schools of any consequence in that early pioneer era. His services were required in assisting in operating the farm while he was still a youth, and at a period in his life when the boys of today are enjoying the benefits of school facilities which are luxurious when placed in comparison with the make-shift schools of the pioneer days. His case was similar to that of many other boys who were reared in Shelby county on the primitive pioneer farms and which are best described in a special chapter in this history of Shelby county. The children of fifty years hence will pore over the pages of this volume and read with wonder of the log cabins, the dug-outs, and the shacks in which their forefathers attended school and of the conditions in which they were reared to sturdy manhood. In that far-off day to come the story of the redemption of Shelby county from a wilderness state will read like a romance to those of a more modern age than this.
Thomas farmed with his father until he was twenty-four years of age and then rented a farm of eighty acres for two years. He next rented one hundred and twenty acres for another two years, all the time husbanding his resources against the time when he should make his first investment in a farm for himself. He first bought forty acres in Cass township, which he gradually increased to one hundred and twenty acres. Five years later he added another tract of one hundred and five acres to his possessions and continued farming in Cass township until 1906, adding thereto forty acres and eighty acres at different times. He was appointed sheriff of the county
in that year and removed his family to Harlan, where he resided until 1910. During his residence in Harlan he again invested in farm lands, this time in Center township, where he purchased a tract of two hundred and forty acres. He is now living on this farm, which is one of the best improved estates in the township and one of the most productive in the county. In 1914. Mr. Leytham planted sixty acres of corn which yielded better than sixty bushels to the acre, and sixty acres in small grains. He sells a part of his grain, but usually feeds about one hundred and twenty-five head of swine annually and about fifty head of cattle. He is a breeder of thoroughbred Shorthorn cattle and Poland-China hogs and has a fine herd of the Shorthorn variety upon his farm. While a resident of Cass township he was an extensive feeder of live stock and produced about one hundred and fifty head of cattle and three hundred hogs annually. He was a breeder at that time of Aberdeen Angus cattle, but prefers the Shorthorn breed at the present time.
Mr. Leytham was married on October 16, 1879, to Anna Askwith, daughter of William and Anna (Williams) Askwith, who were natives of Pennsylvania. To this union have been born ten children: Bertha, Laura. Grace, Vera, Paul and Perry (deceased), Lowell, Nina, and two (twins), who died in infancy. Bertha became the wife of Harry M. Chase and is the mother of five children, Basil, Clifford, Mildred, Alice and Boyd. Laura married Henry Benning, and to them have been born three children, Francis, Pauline and Rose Anne. Vera was wedded to Glen Howard. Paul, Lowell, Nina and Grace are still at home with their parents. Nina is a teacher.
The parents of Mrs. Leytham were natives of England and Pennsylvania, respectively. William Askwith was born in Tattershall, Lincolnshire, England, September 18, 1812, and came to America in 1829, when seventeen years of age, and settled in Chester county, Pennsylvania. Some years after his marriage he moved to Carlisle, Pennsylvania. There, in partnership with his brother-in-law, he started a foundry and machine shop, becoming an expert mechanic. Having lost his business for a number of years, he had charge of the shops as manager.
William Askwith was married in 1835 in Londonderry, Chester county, Pennsylvania, to Annie Delaney Williams. His wife was a daughter of Abner and Mary (Dickinson-Passmore) Williams, and was born September 19, 1813, in Chester county, Pennsylvania. Abner Williams was a son of William Williams, who served in the Revolutionary War, and was mustered out as a lieutenant-colonel of the Third Pennsylvania Line. Mrs. Askwith's great-grandfather, on her mother's side, was Joseph Dickinson, who was known as the "Fighting Quaker." William Askwith and wife were the parents of eight children: Esther Passmore, who died in 1855; Mary, who died in infancy; Susan Ann, who, became the wife of John B. Sheeler; William Sylvester, who married Anna E. King; John Delaney, who first married Alice Derry and after her death Della______ ; Charles Albert, who first married Ellen Miller and after her death Ria Wallace; Abner, who married Coral Fleming; Annie Delaney, who became the wife of Thomas Leytham.
In the year 1868 William Askwith came to Shelby county and invested his savings in a farm of forty acres near Lelland's Grove, which he tilled for a number of years. He sold his farm in the early eighties and retired from active pursuits and made his home with his children in his declining years. He died at Portsmouth in the year 1885 and his widow died in 1894. Mr. Leytham is a member of the reorganized Church of the Latter Day Saints. Politically, he is a progressive Republican, who believes in the principles of his party while inclined to espouse the Progressive cause. Mr. Leytham is looked upon as a leader in the political activities of the
progressive element in Shelby county and his influence has ever been exerted toward advancing the cause of clean and honest government. While a resident of Cass township he served as constable, justice of the peace and road supervisor to the satisfaction of the people of the community. His term as sheriff was marked by a competent and honest administration of the affairs of this important office. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. He has taken all the degrees of Masonry up to and including the Knights Templar degree. He served as senior deacon, tyler and as master of the Masonic Lodge at Persia, Iowa. Mr. Leytham is a progressive and enterprising citizen who stands high in his home county and he and his excellent helpmate have reared a fine
family to take their places among the best citizenship of the county.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pages 960-964.
Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
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A bank is an essential part of the life of any prosperous community and performs a distinct function. As a depository for the patrons whom it serves it becomes a conservator of wealth, while as a medium for loans it becomes the financial sponsor for the enterprises in which the men of the community in which it is located are interested. Thus the bank serves a double purpose. The business of a bank is based primarily upon confidence and this cardinal virtue must remain one of the most valuable assets of any bank. It is safe to say that the State Bank of Portsmouth, Iowa, has this necessary asset, a fact which is shown by its long and prosperous history. This bank was organized in 1882, and now has a capital stock of twenty-five thousand dollars, with more than one hundred thousand dollars on deposit.
Its present efficient cashier, Joseph H. Yunck, has been in active charge of the various departments of this bank for the past five years, and in that time has so conducted the affairs of the bank as to win the confidence of its directors and the people who patronize it.
Joseph H. Yunck, the son of Henry and Philomena Yunck, was born in Morton county, North Dakota, August 26, 1878. His parents were both natives of Minnesota, and his father was a farmer in early life and spent his latter years in the hotel business in Mandan, North Dakota, and was in charge of a hotel in the latter place at the time of his death, in 1884. There were three children born to Henry Yunck and wife: Mary, who died in childhood; Joseph H., with whom this narrative deals, and John, who is still single. Joseph H. Yunck attended school at Mandan, North Dakota, and after leaving school was employed in the First National Bank of that city. He remained with. this bank for four years, during which time he gained a practical knowledge of banking. With this practical experience, he went to
Hebron, North Dakota, and worked in a bank in that city for three years, after which he returned to Mandan and became the cashier of the Farmers and Merchants Bath of that city. Four years later he came to Portsmouth, Iowa, and became cashier of the State Bank of that city, and has since been performing the duties of that arduous position. He is thoroughly acquainted with every phase of the banking business and by his courteous manner and genial disposition has become a most valuable asset to the bank. The present officials of the bank are as follows: President, P. Herkenrath; vice-president, I. J. Copeland; and cashier, Joseph Yunck.
Mr. Yunck was married in 1906 to Margaret Cavanaugh, the daughter of William and Susan Cavanaugh, and to this union three children have been horn: Willis, Mary and Henry. Mrs. Yunck's parents are living at Lohrsville, Iowa, where her father, now deceased, was a prosperous and substantial farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Cavanaugh have five children, Mary, Katherine, Henrietta, Edward and Margaret, the wife of Mr. Yunck. Mr. Yunck and his family are loyal members of the Catholic church, while he is an enthusiastic member of the Knights of Columbus. He is affiliated with the Democratic party, and in its welfare he has always taken
a deep interest. He has been prominent in local politics and at the present time is serving as one of the councilmen of Portsmouth. He is vitally interested in the welfare of his city and all public-spirited measures having for their end the betterment of his city find in him a ready and enthusiastic
supporter.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pages 1211 - 1212.
Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
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Among the successful, self-made men of Shelby county, Iowa, whose efforts and influence have contributed to the material upbuilding of the community is John Coenen, who occupies a conspicuous place in his township and county. Born in Germany, he came to this country at the age of twenty-three and settled in Shelby county, and here for the past twenty-four years he has lived such a life as to commend him to his fellow citizens. Being ambitious from the first, but surrounded with none too favorable environment, his early days were not especially promising, but resolutely facing the future, he left his native land, crossed the Atlantic and located in a county where he has been successful to a marked degree. He has gradually surmounted all the difficulties in his way, and in the course of time has risen to
a prominent position in the agricultural circles of his community. In doing this he has won the confidence and esteem of those with whom he. has come in contact, and for years has stood as one of the representative citizens of the locality. He has not permitted himself to follow the rut in a blind way, but has. studied and experimented in various agricultural methods and thus secured the best.returns from his efforts. Such a man is eminently deserving of a place in this volume.
John Coenen, the son of John and Mary (Fisher) Coenen, was born April 22, 1858, in Germany. His father was a vintner in Germany and followed this occupation until his death. John Coenen, Sr., and wife were the parents of seven children: Peter, Clara, Mary, Lena, Thomas, John and Joseph. All of these children, as well as their parents, except John and Thomas, are deceased. Thomas is now living on the old home place in Germany.
John Coenen, Jr., received a good elementary education in the schools of Germany and assisted his father hr the vineyard until he came to the United States, at the age of twenty-three. After coming to America he at once located in Harlan, Iowa, where he found work upon the farms in that vicinity. He worked by. the month for two years and then rented a farm one mile east of Defiance, upon which he lived for three years. He then moved to another farm in Union township, this county, and three years later bought eighty acres of the farm on which he is now living. This he has increased until he is now the owner of four hundred acres. of fine farming land in Westphalia township. He confines the most of his time and attention to the raising of grain for hogs, and for the past few years has marketed from one hundred and fifty to one hundred and seventy-five head of hogs each year. His farm is well improved, with a good house, commodious barns and out-buildings. all of which are kept in a constant state of repair, presenting a neat and attractive appearance.
Mr. Coenen was married January 8, 1884, to Christina Butzen, and to this union have been born seven children: John, William, Henry, Carl, Mary, Maggie and Lena. John married Mary Hofer and has two children, Irma and Joseph; William married Ida Schmitz and has one child, Gerold; Mary is the wife of Michael Presch and has four children, Michael, Thomas, Marie and John; and Maggie is the wife of Joseph Stohl and has four children, Elenora, Bartel, Joseph and Edwin. The rest of the children are single and still living with their parents. Mrs. Coenen's parents were both natives of Germany and reared a family of eight children: Nicholas,
Lena, Casper, Margaret, Mary, Christina, Michael and Walter. The parents of both Mr. and Mrs. Coenen are deceased.
Politically, Mr. Coenen is a Democrat. The only official position which he has ever held! is that of school director, which he now holds. He and his family are loyal members of the Westphalia Catholic church, in whose welfare they are deeply interested and to whose support they are generous contributors. Mr. Coenen is essentially a self-made man, having come to this country with no assets whatever, and yet by good management has accumulated a comfortable fortune for himself and family.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pages 1209 - 1210.
Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
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It has always been a mark of distinction to have served in the Union army during the great Civil War. An old soldier will receive attention wherever he goes, and when the last boy in blue has passed away friends will pay suitable eulogy for the sacrifices made during the sixties. Immediately after the close of the war a large number of soldiers who had been mustered out came to Iowa and located in Shelby county, where they were given certain advantages in the acquisition of land. The first of the settlers of most of the townships in Shelby county, Iowa, were veterans of the Civil War. One of the first veterans of the Civil War to locate in the
county was John Kingsbury, who is now living retired in Defiance. John Kingsbury was born in Lake county, Illinois, December 27, 1844, the son of William and Caroline (Thais) Kingsbury, natives of Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, respectively. William Kingsbury received his education in the schools of Pennsylvania, and after his marriage brought his wife to Lake county, Illinois, where he entered government land in 1835. He farmed in that county until his death, in 1850. He left his widow with four children: Mary, John, Caroline and Angeline. A few years after his death, his widow married John Crapo, and to this marriage one son, Seward,
was born.
John Kingsbury moved with his stepfather and the remainder of the family to Benton county, Iowa, in the spring of 1853, and lived in that county until 1861, when his mother died. Mr. Kingsbury was educated in the schools of Benton county, and on August 9, 1862, Mr. Kingsbury enlisted in Company D, Thirty-first Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry, serving for three years at the front. At the end of the war, his health unimpaired, he returned to Benton county, Iowa, and resumed his farming. After his marriage, in 1869, he rented a farm, shortly afterwards, moving to Shelby county, where he bought eighty acres of land in Greeley township, on
which he lived for four years. Disposing of that farm, he purchased eighty acres near Defiance, on which he lived until 1881 and then moved into Defiance, engaging in the butcher's trade. However, this business did not satisfy him, so he returned to the farm within a short time and lived there for the next two years. Then he again returned to Defiance and became interested in transfer business, following that for eight years. The next eight years of his life were spent in the huckster business, after which he retired to his farm for two years. Several years ago he retired for the last time to Defiance, where he is now living surrounded by modern comforts and conveniences. When Mr. Kingsbury and his wife came to this county the site of the present city of Defiance was then a broad and treeless prairie. They have lived to see this thriving city surrounded by prosperous farms. Mr. Kingsbury was married in 1869 to Rebecca Hodshire, and to this union seven children have been born: Carrie, Albert, Edwin, Delmore, Herbert, Lee and William. Carrie is the wife of Henry Wells and has three children, Dessie, Hazel and John; Edwin married Sadie Longnecker; Delmore married Stella Reichel and they have two children, Leonard and Bernice; Herbert married Vernie Lang and they have four children, Donald,
Lettie, Russell and Glen; Lee married Vernie Knause and they have one child, Leo. The wife of Mr. Kingsbury died March I, 1914, at the age of sixty-six.
Mr. Kingsbury has been a life-long Republican and cast his first vote for Ulysses Grant in 1868. Several years ago he served as assessor of his township, and has filled the office of justice of the peace for two terms. He has always been interested in local politics and his advice has been frequently sought by the leaders of his party on questions of local interest. He and his family, are members of the Church of Latter-day Saints, to whose support they are generous contributors.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pages 1206 - 1208.
Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
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