1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa
Page Index:
Lee |
Thomsen |
Lux |
French |
Leuschen |
Saller |
Stein |
Yackey |
Kneeland |
Daeges
The career of John F. Lee, who was born in this county forty-one years ago, presents many features of interest. A man of excellent education, he taught school in this county for many years, and in that time came into contact with hundreds of young people, who were benefited by his able instruction and vigorous personality. The call of the farm finally induced him to lay aside his books and devote his energies to agriculture. In this he has been no less successful than in the educational field. Always interested in public matters, he has taken a prominent part in the civic welfare of his county and township, and for many years has served in various official
capacities in the community, filling these positions in a manner which stamps him as a man of ability.
John F. Lee, the son of James M. and Martina Lee, was born April 16, 1873, at Cuppy's Grove, Shelby county, Iowa. His father was born in Ohio, and his mother was a native of Denmark. James M. Lee came to Shelby county in 1856, and was one of the first settlers in the county. He lived here until 1881, and then moved to a farm in Sac county, this state, near Sac City, where he resided for about seven years, at the expiration of which time he returned to Shelby county, and farmed here until 1898, when he retired from active farm life and went to Texas. His death occurred there in 1899. James M. Lee and wife were the parents of seven children: John F.; Henry C., who died at the age of four; Sarah, the wife of Lars Nelson; Charles G.; S. Edward; Clarence M. and Nellie, the wife of Edward Knepper.
John F. Lee was given a good, common school education. He attended the high school at Avoca and at the age of nineteen, began to teach in the public schools of his county. For the next nine years, he followed this profession, The schools lost an excellent instructor when he decided to leave the school room and engage in farming. In 1898, he moved to his farm, which he had purchased while teaching, and since that time has devoted himself wholly to farming. In the meantime, he taught for three years after moving to the farm. He has a well-improved farm on which he has erected good buildings, and to the care of which he devotes his entire time and attention. His farm is well adapted to stock raising and in this Mr. Lee has been successful.
Mr. Lee was married in August, 1893, to Mary L. Howlett, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lambert Howlett, and to this union have been born two children: Lloyd, who died in infancy, and Stella, who graduated in the spring of 1914 from the same school, to which her four grandparents went.
Politically, Mr. Lee is a Republican. He has always taken an active interest in local politics. He served as township clerk and secretary of the school board of his township for several years and admirably administered the duties of these offices. Mr. Lee is now in the prime of life and has many years of usefulness and honor before him. His past record indicates that he will continue to be a valuable member of the community.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 1066 - 1067. Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
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It may be well to state here that almost all of the German citizens of this county are self-made men. Those who came here from their native land usually had just enough money to pay their passage across the ocean and to this state. Then they started to work to acquire a comfortable competence for themselves and families. At the same time, they bore their full share of the burden of citizenship. One of the many excellent German citizens of this county is Hans Thomsen, a substantial farmer of Fairview township.
Hans Thomsen, the son of Bernard and Anna Thomsen, was born in Holstein, Germany, April 1, 1860. He received a good common school education in his native country and worked upon a farm until he reached the age of twenty-one. Then came the question as to what he should do, the question which stares every youth in the face when he reaches his majority. At this time, there are in the world, over fifty independent countries, and the only one of this number whose citizens never seek a better land, is the United States. No farmer in this country migrates to Germany or France or Italy or Russia, in order to better his condition.
It took Hans Thomsen but a short time to decide where to go, and when his steamer landed in New York harbor on June 10, 1881, he walked down the gang-plank and stepped on to the shores of a country which was to be his home. From New York he came to Shelby county, Iowa, and located at Avoca. Having no money with which to buy land, he found employment upon the farms of the county, learning American methods of agriculture. He worked on farms and at any other work he could, saving his money, until, when he married in 1890, he was able to rent a farm and begin housekeeping. He lived on this farm in Fairview township for seven years and then bought his present farm of two hundred and thirty acres, which is known as the "Valley View Farm." He has made extensive improvements upon this farm, erecting buildings, constructing fences and installing a drainage system. He has a very profitable orchard in which he has planted trees of all kinds--apple, cherry, peach and apricot, as well as all kinds of berries.
Mr. Thomsen is a breeder of Red Polled Angus or Guernsey cattle. He always has a herd of fifty or sixty head. He raises general purpose horses, Duroc Jersey hogs and all kinds of poultry. Mr. Thomsen usually has from sixty to seventy acres of corn and mixed crops. He has remodeled his house and in 1904 built a barn. He built a corn crib and hog house in 1902, and an ice house in 1906.
Mr. Thomsen was married in 1890 to Emma Pengel, the daughter of John Pengel, who was born in Holstein, Germany, and a resident of Davenport, Iowa. To this union have been born five children: Bertha, born May 30, 1891; Elenore, March 28, 1894: Anna, November 8, 1896; Mata, February 16, 1898; and Alma, October 21, 1900.
Politically, Mr. Thomsen has been identified with the Democratic party since coming to this country. While not active in political matters, he takes a great interest in all matters of importance affecting his community. He has been particularly interested in educational matters, serving twelve years upon the school hoard of his township. He is a member of the Lutheran church of Avoca.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 1067 - 1068.
Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
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A large number of the most successful and substantial farmers of Cass township, Shelby county, Iowa. are of German parentage, and among these farmers Peter Lux is one who has been identified with the history of the township for nearly thirty years. He comes from an excellent family and one which has been widely identified with the history of this county. Mr. Lux is a man of thrift, and although he had nothing when he started in to work for himself, by his own good management and keen business ability he has accumulated a farm of one hundred and twenty acres. On this he has placed several thousand dollars' worth of improvements.
Peter Lux, the son of John Peter and Mary Eva (Blum) Lux, was born December 24, 1861, in the Rhine province of Germany. His parents lived in Germany until 1890, when they came to Shelby county and settled near Panama, where his father bought a farm of eighty acres and lived until his death in 1911. His mother passed away in 1902. Nine children were born to John P. Lux and wife: Peter, Angeline, Eva, Katherine, Martin, Hubert, Thomas, Mary and Anna.
Peter Lux received his education in his native land and after leaving school farmed with his father until he was twenty-three years of age. He came to America in 1885 and settled near Westphalia, Iowa. He worked out as a farm hand for five years. He then rented land until 1903, when he bought his present farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Cass township. Since buying this farm he has placed at least five thousand dollars' worth of improvements on it and has brought it to a high state of cultivation by a systematic crop rotation. He is particularly interested in the breeding of cattle, and has been very successful in this particular line of activity.
Mr. Lux was married on October 19, 1892, to Elizabeth Wilwerding, the daughter of Henry Wilwerding, an old settler of Shelby county, and one of its prominent citizens for many years. Mr. Lux and his wife are loyal members of the Catholic church. Politically, Mr. Lux is a Democrat but has never been active in political affairs.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 1069 - 1070.
Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
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Dependent very largely upon his own resources from his early youth,
William French of Jefferson township, Shelby county, Iowa, has attained no
insignificant success, and though he may have, like most men of affairs,
encountered obstacles and met with reverses, he has pressed steadily, forward,
ever willing to work for the end which he has in view. His tenacity and
fortitude are due, no doubt, in a large measure to the worthy traits inherited
from his sterling ancestors, whose high ideals and correct principles he has
ever sought to perpetuate in all the relations of life.
William French was born on April 19, 1858, in Whitley county, Kentucky, a son of James and Rhoda (Harmon) French, both of whom were
natives of Tennessee. His paternal grandparents were Irvin and Elizabeth
French, the family tracing its origin back to Scotland. James French
brought his family to Iowa in 1875, locating just west of where Kirkman
now is. Here be purchased eighty acres of land and made his home until
1884, when he disposed of his holdings and moved into Kansas. He bought
near the town of Burlington and on that farm passed his remaining days, his
death occurring in September of 1890, his widow dying in March, 1892.
When James French first came to Iowa, he made his home for a time with his
brother, Thomas, whose farm was the land on which the town of Kirkman
is located.
William French is one of a family of nine children, the others being Eveline (Mrs. Wagner), Mary Ann, Emma (Mrs. Durham), Mahalla J. (Mrs. Ashe), Almedia (Mrs. Girard), James and John. William French made his home with the parents until he reached the age of eighteen, when he began working by the month for L. L. Jarvis, by whom he was employed for two years. Then for a time he farmed in partnership with his cousin James French and after two years began farming on his own account on land which he rented in the neighborhood. He succeeded well in this undertaking and did not purchase any land until the year 1904, when he bought
a tract of three hundred and twenty acres in Canada, which, however, he sold in a few years. In 1904 he also purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Polk township, in this county, and there he made his home for two years, when he disposed of that and purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on the edge of Crawford county. This, however, he owned but for one year, when it was disposed of and a farm of the same size purchased in section 25 of Jefferson township and on this he has since made his home. His main interest is in his general farming and in addition to this he raises some live stock. He produces on an average of seventy-five head of hogs annually and usually has a large number of horses of a good grade on the farm, sometimes numbering as many as twenty-five head. He also buys and sells live stock, and is considered an excellent judge of any class of animals, having been signally successful in his endeavors along this line.
On March 25, 1880, Mr. French was united in marriage with Barbara Wooster, who was born February 1, 1857, in Thompsonville, Hartford county, Connecticut, the daughter of John and Barbara (Smelsley) Wooster. The Woosters were both natives of Germany, coming to this country shortly before the birth of Barbara. In 1875 they came to Iowa, locating on a farm in Jefferson township and here the mother died in 1894, the father surviving until August 26, 1913. They were the parents of eight children, of whom John, Fred, Charles and Christena (Mrs. Gaskal) are all deceased. Those surviving, beside Mrs. French, are William, John C., and Eva (Mrs. Groat).
To Mr. and Mrs. French have been born eight children, six of whom are
living. Nettie Elizabeth, the eldest daughter, married Frank Crouch and
resides near her father. They have a family of six children, Mabel A., Ora
F., Harold W., Ivy D. and Ansel. Maudie P. died when a small child.
Hattie, Mr. French's second daughter, married Clarence Johnson and lives
in Primghar. They had one child which died in early infancy. Della is the
wife of Harry Sheelsy and resides in Shelby county. She is the mother of
two children, Dale, who died in infancy, and Elliott W. Peter J. took as
his wife Norine Simmons and makes his home in Jefferson township. Eddie
E. married Ethel M. Allwell and lives in Polk township, about one mile
south of his father. The remaining son, John J., lives with the parents,
while two other children died in early infancy.
Politically, Mr. French has always been a strong advocate of the principles of the Republican party, although never an aspirant for office. He is a member of the United Brethren church and gladly gives to the best of his ability to forward the work of the local organization. The career of Mr. French has been devoid of anything spectacular, being a steady rise due to unflagging determination to success and close application to his chosen vocation. In such a life there is much that is commendable, with much encouragement to those who might feel, their zeal and energy waning by reason of discouragement's which are bound to arise in any career. While applying himself closely to his own affairs, Mr. French has ever borne in mind his duties as a good citizen and is always keenly interested in anything that promotes the welfare of his fellow men.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 1072 - 1074.
Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
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A prosperous young farmer of Cass township, Shelby county, Iowa, is Nickolaus C. Leuschen, who was born, reared and is still living in the county which gave him birth. He has inherited from his sterling German ancestors all of those qualities which have made the German citizens of Shelby county such material benefit in its advancement. Within seven years, Mr. Leuschen has bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in Cass township, and in addition has placed four thousand dollars' worth of improvements on the farm. Such enterprise within so short a time indicates that the owner is a man of ability and is well deserving of honorable mention in the history of his county.
Nickolaus C. Leuschen, the son of Benedict and Anna Marie (Nolles) Leuschen, was born April 27, 1881, in Westphalia township, Shelby county, Iowa. Benedict Leuschen was the son of Nickolaus and Anna Mary (Mullitor) Leuschen, and was born in Germany, June 3, 1848. Anna Marie Nolles was born in Germany and was the daughter of Joseph and Anna Mary (Finken) Nolles. Benedict Leuschen and Anna Marie Nolles were married May 22, 1875, and reared a family of eight children: Joseph, Nickolaus, Lena, Mary, Frank, Matthew, Katherine and Benedict. The mother of these children died March 16, 1911. The reader is referred to the history of Benedict Leuschen, which is found elsewhere in this history, for further information concerning the family.
Nickolaus C. Leuschen attended school in the Catholic parochial school in Westphalia, Iowa, and after leaving school worked with his father on the home farm until he was twenty-six years of age. He then married and bought the farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Cass township, on which he has since been living. He has greatly improved the farm and now has one of the most attractive and highly productive farms of the township. As a farmer he has been uniformly successful from the beginning, and by giving the proper attention to his crops and the raising of live stock, he has had the satitsfaction of seeing his farm yield him a handsome return for his efforts. Mr. Leuschen was married April 30, 1907, at Westphalia, Iowa, to Elizabeth Thielan, the daughter of John and Lena (Stoltz) Thielan, and to this union three children have been born: Hilda, Henrietta and Marie, all of whom are still living with their parents.
The father of Mrs. Leuschen, John Thielan, was born May 5, 1850, in Germany, and was the son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Klos) Thielan. John Thielan came to America in 1875, and located in Chicago for a short time. John Thielan was twice married. His first wife was Clara Kramer, and to his first marriage were born six children: Clara, Joseph, Charles, Anna, Jacob and one who died in infancy. The second wife of John Thielan was Lena Stoltz, and to this union six children were born: Barbara, Elizabeth, John, Josephine, Louis and Francis. Mrs. Leuschen was a child of the second marriage.
Politically, Mr. Leuschen gives his allegiance to the Democratic party, but as yet has taken no active part in the political affairs of his township and county. He gives his support to those men whom he believes are the best qualified for the office to which they aspire, and is an advocate of good government in every form. He and his family are devout members of the Catholic church, to whose support they are generous contributors. Mr. Leuschen is now in the prime of life and bids fair to become one of the substantial men of his township and county in the years to come.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 1074 - 1075.
Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
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One of the many German farmers of Shelby county is Henry Saller, who, by a life of hard work and good management has acquired a farm of one hundred and eighty acres in Westphalia township. This county is the home of many German emigrants, and they are always found thrifty and substantial citizens in the various communities where they settle. The example set by thrifty German citizens has been very beneficial, not only to our native Americans, but to those emigrants from other countries as well. Mr. Saller was not favored by inherited wealth; or the assistance of influential friends, but by perseverance, industry and a wise economy he has attained success. He is a fine American citizen, straightforward, genial and obliging, who, while advancing his individual interests, never neglects his duties as a
citizen of the commonwealth.
Henry Saller, the son of Henry and Theresa (Langland) Saller, was born June 29, 1862, in Germany. His father lived the life of a simple farmer in his native land until his death in 1866. Shortly after his death, his widow and the children came to the United States and located in St. Louis, Missouri, where they lived for about sixteen years. Henry Saller, Sr., and wife were the parents of four children: Caroline, the wife of William Muenchrath; Josephine, the widow of Clements Imming; Mary, who
married Godfried Mumded, and Henry.
Henry Saller was four years of age when he came to this country with his mother and the rest of the family. He received all of his education in the Catholic schools of St. Louis. After leaving school, he began to work in the Harrison Wire Mill Works, of St. Louis, and became an expert wire drawer. He worked in the wire factory until he was twenty years old, and then moved to Shelby county, Iowa, where he joined his mother and sister, who had previously located in this county. The first year after coming to this county he worked as a farm hand and then rented a farm of one hundred acres, which he farmed for about four years. Fire consumed his house, barn and practically everything else he had. Notwithstanding this disaster he was not discouraged, but bought new farming implements and started again. He continued renting until 1902, when he bought a farm of one hundred acres, on which he is now living. By thrift he has made his farm a profitable investment and has added to it from time to time until he now owns one hundred and eighty acres. He has built new barns and other outbuildings and his place is very attractive.
Mr. Saller was married in 1890 to Christina Mumm, the daughter of
Peter and Cecelia Mumm, and to this union have been born eight children,
all of whom are single and still living with their parents: Peter, William,
George, Christian, Frank, Theresa, Cecelia and Agnes. Mr. Saller's mother
is making her home with him and is now eighty-four years of age. Peter
and William are operating a rented farm near Defiance, Shelby county.
Politically, Mr. Saller identifies himself with the Democratic party, but
devotes his time and energies to his home and farm. He and his family are
members of the Catholic church, and are generous contributors. Mr. Saller
is a member of the Roman Catholic Mutual Protective Society. The life of
this sturdy German farmer illustrates what may be accomplished by a man
who has a definite aim in life and follows it with persistency. Although
meeting with many obstacles and discouragement's, he nevertheless has forged
his way ahead and now can look hack over a life which has been well spent
in the service of his family and his fellow men.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 1076 - 1077.
Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
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One of the most successful German farmers of Shelby county, Iowa, is Nicholas Stein, the owner of four hundred acres of fine farming land in Cass township. He was born and reared to manhood in Germany and came to this state when he was twenty-four years of age. He has been a man of indefatigable energy, and starting in with nothing but a rugged constitution and a willingness to work, he has gradually accumulated land and added to his wealth until he is now one of the most substantial men of his township. In doing this he has not neglected the civic life of his community. Every worthy measure has received his hearty support.
Nicholas Stein, the son of Peter and Anna Marie (Kohn) Stein, was born October 20, 1858, in Germany. His father was a farmer in his native land until he came to this country in 1891 and settled in Cass township, this county. His mother died in the native land in 1868, and his father died in this county on his farm in Harrison county in 1901. Four children were born to Nicholas Stein and wife: John, Eva, Nicholas and Peter, all of whom are living in this country.
Mr. Stein received all of his education in his native country and worked with his father upon the farm until he came to the United States. After settling in Shelby county, Nicholas Stein worked as a farm hand for four years, and then married and bought one hundred and twenty acres of land, on which he started to farm for himself. On this farm he has placed several thousand dollars' worth of improvements, including one of the finest country homes to be found in the county. From time to time he has added to his acreage until he now has four hundred acres of well improved and highly productive land in Cass township. He is a progressive farmer in every sense of the word, and his farm is equipped with the best and latest improved agricultural machinery.
Mr. Stein was married February 26, 1889, at Portsmouth, Iowa, to Anna Leuck, daughter of Frank and Margaret (Kautenberger) Leuck. To this union have been born ten children: Peter, Maggie, Susan, Michael, Rosa, John, William, Joseph, Bernedine and Mary, all of whom are living except Mary. All of them are still living with their parents.
Politically, Mr. Stein is a Democrat, but so extensive have been his agricultural interests that he has never been a candidate for any public office, although he has given his support to all measures which are calculated to improve the general welfare of his township and county. The family are all loyal members of the Catholic church and interested in its various enterprises. Mr. Stein is a fine example of the thrifty German farmer and his career is worthy of emulation by those of the coming generation. His success has not been the result of chance, but has been solely due to his own efforts and those of his excellent family of children. A man who rears a
family of children to lives of usefulness and honor, and at the same time provides for them in the manner in which Mr. Stein has done, is the highest type
of American citizen.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 1077 - 1078.
Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
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The Yackey family have been prominently identified with Shelby county for the past thirty-five years. Some men are born to lead and in a new community such men are most valuable. Hiram V. Yackey and his father have done more for the city of Defiance than any other two men, and since the son has become a resident of Harlan he has been actively interested in every phase of its welfare.
Hiram V. Yackey, the son of Joseph and Harriet (Way) Yackey, was born January 16, 1868, at La Salle, Illinois. His father was a native of Switzerland and came to this country with his parents, when he was three years old. They settled at La Salle, Illinois, and there Joseph Yackey grew to manhood. At the opening of the Civil War, he enlisted in the Fourth Illinois cavalry. At the expiration of his first enlistment, he re-enlisted and served until the end of the war. He then returned to his home in Illinois and married. For several years, he was the superintendent of the Jones Coal Company at La Salle. He first came to Shelby county, Iowa, in the spring of
1880 and bought land where the city of Defiance now stands. He sold a part of his farm for city lots. If any man deserves the title of "Father of Defiance," Joseph Yackey surely does. He was a man every one honored and respected. He was a prominent Mason, one of the charter members of the lodge at Defiance and its first master. He was also a Royal Arch mason. He always took much interest in the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic, to which organization he had belonged from the beginning. This excellent and highly respected citizen died in 1908.
Hiram V. Yackey was twelve years old when his parents moved from Illinois to this county. He received part of his education in his native state and finished it in the schools of Defiance. He was a young man of splendid ability, and taught school in this county for several years before he quit the profession. He became deputy auditor of Shelby county soon after and served in this capacity for one year. At the expiration of his term of office, he served one year as deputy sheriff and then for the next two, as deputy clerk in the Shelby county abstract office. The Republican party then nominated him for the office of clerk of the Shelby county district court and he was elected. He filled this position very acceptably for four years, and then became a partner of G. W. Cullison, lawyer. They continued in partnership
for the next three years, ending, however, when Mr. Yackey was sent on a special mission by Congressman Walter I. Smith to the exposition at Seattle, Washington. In the spring of 1910, Mr. Yackey became interested in the real estate business at Harlan and is rapidly building up a good business. Mr. Yackey was married November 21, 1895, to Lurene Warner, the daughter of J. A. Warner, of Hudson, South Dakota. To this union there have been born three children: Hazel A., Harriett F. and Hiram V., Jr.
For many years Mr. Yackey has been a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. He was the master of his local lodge when he was only twenty-two years of age and, at different times, has represented his lodge at the Grand Lodge for the past twenty years. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, has passed all the chairs in the lodge and has served as its representative to the Grand Lodge for several years. He is also a valued member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and has also represented this lodge at its national sessions for the past two years.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 1078 - 1079.
Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
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The following is a brief sketch of the life of one who, by close attention to business, has achieved marked success in the world's affairs and risen to an honorable position among the enterprising men of the county with which his interests are identified. It is a plain record, rendered remarkable by no strange or mysterious adventure, no wonderful and lucky accident and no tragic situation. Mr. Kneeland is one of those estimable characters whose integrity and strong personality must force them into an admirable notoriety, which their modesty never seeks. Throughout his years of residence here he has so ordered his life as to win the respect of his friends and neighbors, a tribute which any man might well covet.
Marcus L. Kneeland is a native of this state, born on March 15, 1860, in Des Moines county, probably near the Mississippi river, although he does not know the exact location of his birth. He is the son of James H. and Catherine L. (Ferree) Kneeland, both of whom were natives of Dearborn county, Indiana, where they grew to maturity and were married before venturing into the then "far" west in search of better opportunities than their native state afforded. In 1849 they left their childhood home, near which they embarked on the Ohio river, journeying down to where it empties into the Mississippi and then going up that river to Kiethsburg, Illinois, near where they lived for a number of years. In 1882 they came to Shelby county where James H. Kneeland purchased forty acres of land from the Rock Island railroad Company. He lived but two years after coming to this county, his death occurring in 1884. The widow survived him ten years, passing away in 1894. They were the parents of eight children, Mary (Mrs. Robinson), Sarah (Mrs. Erb), Henrietta (Mrs. Taylor), George W., John S.,. J. Manford, David H. and Marcus L. The Kneeland family trace their origin to Scotch ancestry, and James H. Kneeland possessed some of the best characteristics of that excellent people. While a resident of this county only a short time, he was making a place for himself in the life of the community, being desirous of forwarding its best interests.
Marcus L. Kneeland remained at his father's home almost all the time up to his marriage. He worked out at farm labor for eight years and in the meantime had made the purchase of a tract of eighty acres of prairie land. He has since bought considerably more land, and has disposed of a goodly amount also, always reserving the best, so that now his farm of one hundred and sixty acres is as good land as the county can boast. It is carefully tilled and has been well drained, which has greatly increased its productive power. Mr. Kneeland devotes much attention to those crops best adapted to this climate and in addition to general farming, gives a great deal of time and attention to live stock. He has a good grade of hogs; mixing the Poland China and Duroc Jersey breeds, which he prefers to a pure strain of either
breed. His cattle also are a cross between the Shorthorn and Hereford varieties, and his horses, being excellent animals, are a mixture of Belgian and Percheron.
On August 30, 1892, Mr. Kneeland was united in marriage with Ellen Nelson, a native of Sweden, born on August 24, 1862. She is the daughter of Nels Nelson and wife and is one of a family of nine children. Her father was a stone mason by trade and was quite skillful in his calling. His death, in 1864, was caused by a fall from a building on which he was working. Mrs. Kneeland came to America in 1890, locating in Shelby county, and from that time until her marriage she worked out in the homes of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Kneeland have no family of their own, but they have reared to manhood, Bert R. Erb, youngest son of Mr. Kneeland's sister Sarah, who died when the child was but three years old. Young Erb is now engaged in farming on his own account on a tract of one hundred and twenty acres located just west of his uncle's farm. He has purchased this farm with the assistance of Mr. Kneeland and is conducting his business in a most thorough and capable manner.
For many years Mr. Kneeland was a stanch supporter of the Republican party, but being a great admirer of Theodore Roosevelt, he changed his allegiance to the Progressive party at its birth and is a strong adherent of its principles. He has never held a public office of any sort, feeling that his own interests would not warrant him in so doing-that his home and farm demanded almost his whole effort. Both he and his wife are members of the United Brethren church, attending its services whenever possible and always willing and glad to do all in their power to assist in the support of the local organization. Mr. Kneeland is particularly interested in that portion of public worship devoted to music and contributes his share to this part of the service in a rich bass voice. There is much that is commendable in this life
record, for Mr. Kneeland has been found true to every duty, and while energy and untiring industry have been salient features of his business career, he is
equally well known for the uprightness and honorable methods of his entire life.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 1080 - 1081.
Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
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The automobile business has given employment to hundreds and thousands of men and millions of dollars are invested in the industry at the present time. Elwood Haynes, who invented the automobile in the early nineties, gave rise to an industry which has spread throughout the civilized world. Now there is scarcely a town of any size in the United States where there is not an automobile garage or an automobile salesman. Jacob W. Daeges, of Portsmouth, Iowa, has been engaged in the sale of automobiles and the management of a garage for the past year and has already built up a large and lucrative business in the town and vicinity. He is a man of strict integrity and by his careful business methods and courteous treatment of customers, has had the satisfaction of seeing his business grow by leaps and bounds. Such men are a valuable asset to the community in which they live, and are the backbone of the nation.
Jacob W. Daeges, the son of Michael and Johanna (Schmidt) Daeges, was born in 1876, in Prussia. His father was a native of Germany, born in 1839, and came with his family to America in 1881, settling in Washington township, this county. In this township Michael Daeges bought eighty acres of land, made extensive improvements upon it and at the time of his death in Cass township, in 1912, he was one of its substantial farmers. His wife, Johanna Schmidt, was born in Germany in 1851. She is now living on the old home farm.
Jacob W. Daeges was one of eleven children born to his parents, all of whom are still living. He remained with his parents until he was twenty-four years of age, receiving a good, common school education in the Washington township schools. He was five years of age when his parents came to this country, and has been identified with the history of the county for the past thirty-three years. When he was twenty-four years of age he started farming for himself by renting land in Lincoln township. Two years later, he married and moved to Missouri. In that state, he first rented land. Two years later bought eighty acres of land there, farming it until he returned to Iowa in 1908. Upon returning to Shelby county he farmed until 1913, when he moved to Portsmouth, Iowa, and became engaged in the automobile repair business and the sale of automobiles. He now has the agency for the Ford and Buick automobiles, and this year has sold a large number of these excellent machines throughout the county. His garage is well equipped with the latest machinery for automobile repairing.
Mr. Daeges was married in 1902 to Matilda Thomas, who was born in 1883, in this county. She is the daughter of William Thomas, an early settler of Shelby county, but now living a retired life in Gentry county, Missouri. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Daeges: William, Lena, Louis P., Francis, Elizabeth and Marie, all of whom are still living with their parents.
The family are all loyal members of the Catholic church and are generous contributors to its support. Mr. Daeges is a member of the Knights of Columbus. While politically, he is a Democrat, he has never taken an active part in political matters.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 1082 - 1083.
Contributed by: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
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