USA > Iowa > Carroll County > History of Carroll County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 1
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HISTORY
OF
CARROLL COUNTY IOWA
A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement
VOLUME II
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
1912
25
IC MDRAZY 99255B
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O. M. GROSS
CARROLL COUNTY IOWA
OTTO MATHIAS GROSS.
Otto Mathias Gross, filling the position of county recorder, is numbered among the native sons of Carroll county, his birth having occurred in Roselle township on the 2d of October, 1886. His parents, Mathias and Genevieve (Dentlinger ) Gross, were both natives of Germany, the former of Luxem- burg and the latter of Wurtemberg. The paternal grandfather of our sub- ject passed away in Germany in middle life. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Barbara Capeius, lived to attain a ripe old age. Their children were seven in number. John Dentlinger, the maternal grandfather, crossed the At- lantic to the United States and took up his abode in Bureau county, Illinois. He came to Iowa in 1880, settling in Carroll county, where he passed away at the age of seventy-two years. His wife died at the comparatively early age of thirty-five years. They were the parents of four children, namely : Genevieve, Amelia, John and Frank.
Mathias Gross, the father of O. M. Gross, drove a stage in Germany from his town to Paris, France. In 1865 he emigrated to America, locat- ing in Bureau county, Illinois, where he made his home until 1882. In that year he came to Carroll county, Iowa, purchasing and locating on a farm of two hundred and forty acres in Maple River township, where he resided until called to his final rest in 1903 when sixty-eight years of age. His wife still survives him and is now sixty-six years of age. Both were faithful communicants of the German Catholic church. Mathias Gross held several township offices and was widely recognized as a substantial and respected citizen of the community. He was the father of five sons and two daugh- ters, as follows: Anna, the wife of Joseph Timmerman, of Maple River township; George, who is a resident of Grant township; Frank, living in Wagner, South Dakota; John, of Maple River township; William, who likewise makes his home in that township; Pauline, the wife of William Pietig, of Roselle township; and Otto Mathias, of this review.
The last named was reared on his father's farm and attended the district schools and the parochial schools of Arcadia, while subsequently he con- tinued his studies in the public schools of Carroll. After completing his education he followed the profession of teaching for seven years, imparting
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY
clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he had acquired. In the fall of 1910 he was elected county recorder and now holds that office. He is prompt, systematic and faithful in the discharge of his official duties and already his record has received the commendation of the general public. His property holdings include one hundred and sixty acres of land in Mc- Cook county, South Dakota.
Mr. Gross gives his political allegiance to the democracy and has served as assessor of Maple River township. In religious faith he is a Catholic and is a member of the Knights of Columbus. As a baby he had infantile paralysis, which crippled his limbs and feet and from which he has never entirely recovered. Though still young in years, he has already won an enviable reputation as one of the representative and esteemed residents of his native county.
CHARLES C. HELMER.
One of the competent and successful lawyers of the Carroll county bar is Charles C. Helmer, who has actively engaged in practice at Carroll for seven years past. He is a native of Iowa, born in Cedar county, August 25, 1876, a son of Orlando H. and Letitia (Briggs) Helmer, the former of whom is of German parentage. The mother was born in Ohio and is of English descent. Mr. Helmer, Sr., was educated as a physician and at the time of the Civil war entered the Union army as a hospital steward. Later he was appointed assistant surgeon of the Forty-fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with the rank of first lieutenant, continuing in the service until honorably discharged at the close of the war. His brother, Melchert F. Helmer, was a member of the same regiment. He enlisted as a private and was mustered out as quartermaster-sergeant. In 1865 Orlando H. Helmer came to Iowa and located on a farm in Cedar county, devoting his attention to agriculture and stock-raising rather than to the practice of medicine. He is now living retired with his wife at Mechanicsville, having arrived at the age of seventy-four years, while Mrs. Helmer is sixty-one years of age. They are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church and fraternally Mr. Helmer is connected with the Masonic order and with the Grand Army of the Republic. Politically he votes the republican ticket which he has supported ever since he reached manhood. He has served as county treas- urer and also for a number of years as a member of the board of county supervisors, being one of the most respected citizens of the county.
Charles C. Helmer, the fourth in order of birth in a family of five chil- dren, received his early education in the public schools of Tipton and Me- chanicsville. He attended Iowa State College at Ames and while securing his college education taught school two winters. In the spring of 1898, at the outbreak of the Spanish-American war, moved by the same patriotic spirit that had stirred the heart of his father nearly forty years before, he enlisted in Company F, Forty-ninth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. The com- pany went into camp at Des Moines, Iowa, proceeding thence to Jackson-
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY
ville, Florida, where the regiment was made a part of the Seventh Army Corps under General Fitzhugh Lee. The regiment was ordered to Savan- nah, Georgia, and on the 19th of December, 1898, embarked for Cuba. After arriving on the island the command went into camp near Havana and there remained about four months. Private Helmer was mustered out at Savan- nah, Georgia, in May, 1899. He returned home and in the following fall entered the law department of the Iowa State University at Iowa City, graduating with the degree of LL.B. in June, 1901. A few months later he began practice at Manning where he continued until January, 1904, when he moved to Carroll and has since given his attention with highly satisfactory results to the general practice of law. In 1904 he was elected county attor- ney of Carroll county and served one term, discharging his duties in such a way as to meet the approval of the best citizens of the county, irrespective of party. In 1908 he was appointed city attorney and has since served in that office.
On the 15th of May, 1905, Mr. Helmer was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Willey, who was born at St. Louis, October 7, 1880. Three chil- dren have come to brighten their home: Jane Esther, who was born March 7, 1906; Charles B., born September 15, 1907 ; and Orlando, born September 12, 1909. Mr. Helmer has been an adherent of the republican party ever since he reached his majority and is an effective campaign speaker whose services are often called into requisition in advancing the interests of the organization. He is not identified with any religious denomination, but his wife is a consistent member of the Episcopal church. Socially he is con- nected with the Masonic order. He is thoroughly in earnest in anything he undertakes and is recognized as a man of comprehensive and discriminating mind who is in complete sympathy with the advancing spirit of the times. On the 10th of May, 1910, he was elected captain of Company D, Fifty- sixth Infantry, I. N. G., a position for which he is thoroughly fitted by natural qualifications and by experience and which he is now filling to the satisfaction of all concerned.
M. J. DAEGES.
M. J. Daeges. the well known and popular cashier of the Farmers Sav- ings Bank at Templeton, is widely recognized as one of the substantial and representative young citizens of the town. His birth occurred in Shelby county, Iowa, on the 5th of May, 1879, his parents being F. J. and Barbara Daeges, natives of Germany. The father, who crossed the Atlantic to the United States in 1867. first located in Chicago and removed to Shelby county, Iowa, in 1869. He has devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits throughout his entire business career and still makes his home on a farm in that county.
M. J. Daeges obtained his education in St. Mary's Institute of Dayton. Ohio, and also pursued a commercial course at Atlantic. Iowa. For three years he followed the profession of school teaching in Shelby county and
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY
then spent the winter of 1904 as an employe of the Atlas Grain Company of Chicago, which concern has a branch in Templeton. In the summer of 1906 he embarked in the grain business in association with a Mr. Stevenson and at the end of two years severed the connection to become a partner of Charles Dozler of Templeton, but recently disposed of his interests to his partner in order to devote his entire time to his banking business. In the spring of 1909 he became identified with the Farmers Savings Bank as a stockholder and for the past two years has acted as cashier of the institu- tion, proving a most able and trustworthy official.
In the spring of 1902 Mr. Daeges was united in marriage to Miss Eliza- beth Ocken, a daughter of John Ocken, Sr., who resides on a farm north of Arcadia in Carroll county. Fraternally Mr. Daeges is identified with the Knights of Columbus at Carroll. In his social and business life he is recognized as a man of genuine personal worth, who has won the respect and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact.
SAMUEL C. DUNKLE, M. D.
Dr. Samuel C. Dunkle, a well known and successful physician and sur- geon of Glidden, has here practiced his profession continuously since 1874 with the exception of two years spent in Colorado. His birth occurred in Clarion, Pennsylvania, on the Ist of January, 1847, his parents being Wil- liam and Barbara (Fidlar) Dunkle, who were likewise natives of the Key- stone state. His paternal grandfather was also a native of Pennsylvania and a farmer by occupation. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Bar- bara Watson, lived to attain the age of about ninety-five years. Their chil- dren included the following named: Michael, Peter and William. The maternal grandfather of our subject was born in Pennsylvania and partici- pated in the war of 1812, his widow receiving a land warrant from the gov- ernment. Their children were as follows: John, David, Elias, Barbara and Ann.
William Dunkle, the father of Dr. Dunkle, was engaged in general agri- cultural pursuits throughout his active business career. His demise oc- curred in Clarion, Pennsylvania, about 1870, when he had attained the age of fifty-four years, while his wife was about forty years old when called to her final rest. Both were Methodists in religious faith. Their children were seven in number, namely: Lavina, who died at the age of fifteen years ; Margaret, the wife of S. D. Barr, of Des Moines ; Emma, the wife of Samuel Wilson, of Clarion, Pennsylvania; Samuel C., of this review; Elias, who is deceased ; Edwin, who is a resident of Scott county, Iowa; and Elizabeth, who is the wife of Charles McDowell and resides in Pennsylvania.
Samuel C. Dunkle was reared on his father's farm in Pennsylvania and supplemented his preliminary education, obtained in the district schools, by a course of study in Reed Institute. In 1863 he enlisted in Company C, First Pennsylvania Cavalry, serving with that command for one year. He was at Gettysburg, but did not take part in the regular engagement, spending
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY
most of his time at the front in guarding prisoners. After returning from the war he again attended school in Pennsylvania and also taught for a time. In 1867 he removed to Cedar county, Iowa, where he remained for three or four years, teaching school and studying medicine in the office of Dr. Burns at Walcott, Iowa. He afterward attended Rush Medical College of Chicago and also spent a year in the Kentucky School of Medicine at Louisville, Kentucky, where he completed his professional training. Locating for prac- tice at Glidden, Iowa, in 1874, he has here resided continuously since with the exception of two years spent in Colorado. He belongs to the Carroll County Medical Society, the Iowa State Medical Society and the American Medical Association, and thus keeps in touch with what the profession is accomplishing and promotes his own knowledge and efficiency. A large prac- tice has been accorded him since the beginning of his professional career, for he has demonstrated his power to successfully cope with the complex prob- lems that continually confront the physician, is most careful in the diagnosis of a case and correct in his application of remedial agencies. Financial in- terests have also claimed his attention. In 1893 he organized the First Na- tional Bank, serving as president of the institution until 1906. Prior to the organization of that bank he had been in partnership with his brother-in- law, H. M. Gabriel, in the conduct of a private bank at Glidden. He like- wise owns town property and is widely recognized as one of the most pros- perous and respected residents of the community.
On the 25th of February, 1875, Dr. Dunkle was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Gabriel, a native of Ohio and a daughter of Isaac N. and Cleo- patra (Cotton) Gabriel, who were likewise natives of that state. Remov- ing to Iowa, they spent the remainder of their lives in Cedar county and Wilton. Mr. Gabriel passed away about 1873, when fifty-one years of age, while his wife lived to attain the age of sixty-five. They had the following children : Ernest, Jennie, Mary, Charles, Melita, Horatio M., Elgiva and Nellie. Our subject and his wife have two children. Faye C., a graduate of Rockford College, is a teacher in St. Paul, Minnesota, where she has followed the profession of teaching for about ten years. Warren G. is a clerk in the First National Bank of Sioux City, Iowa.
Dr. Dunkle gives his political allegiance to the republican party, believ- ing that its principles are most conducive to good government. He was made a Mason at Glidden in 1876 and belongs to the commandery at Jeffer- son, Iowa. In professional and social circles he holds to high standards and enjoys in large measure the confidence and trust of those with whom he is brought in contact in every relation of life.
EDWIN ARTHUR WISSLER.
Edwin Arthur Wissler, who has been successfully engaged in the prac- tice of law at Carroll for the past ten years, is now serving his second term as county attorney. His birth occurred in Cass county, Iowa, on the 4th of November, 1875. His father, Henry Wissler, who was born in Bavaria,
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY
Germany, on the banks of the Rhine, December 8, 1831, is now living in honorable retirement at Atlantic, Iowa. In 1851 he crossed the Atlantic to the United States in a sailing vessel, landing at New York city and later joining a sister at Niagara Falls. There he secured employment at a wage of eight dollars per month and from his stipend paid back the money which he had borrowed from his brother-in-law to pay his passage to America. In the meantime he attended school and gained a fair knowledge of the Eng- lish language. In 1855 he came to Iowa, first settling in Lee county and working by the month at various occupations for three or four years. He remained in Lewis, Iowa, until 1857, and took part in the merciful work of the underground railroad, assisting slaves from the south on their pilgrim- age to a place of refuge. In the meantime he purchased an eighty-acre tract of land, retaining the property until 1859, when he sold out and returned to Lee county. There he purchased land and made his home for fifteen years or until 1874, when he took up his abode in Cass county, buying a farm in Bear Grove township and devoting his attention to its operation until 1905. In that year, having accumulated a handsome competence, he put aside the active work of the fields and removed to Atlantic, where he has since en- joyed the fruits of his former toil in well-earned ease. His political allegi- ance is given to the democracy. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Herschel, was born in Lee county, Iowa, of German parentage, and is still living at the age of seventy years. She is a devoted and consistent member of the Congregational church.
Edwin Arthur Wissler, who was the ninth in order of birth in a family of ten children, was reared on the home farm and attended the country schools in the acquirement of an education. After teaching school for about a year he pursued a commercial course in the Atlantic Business College and subsequently continued his studies in the State Teachers College at Cedar Falls. Having determined upon the legal profession as a life work, he entered the law department of the University of Iowa, from which he was graduated on the 12th of June, 1901. On the Ist of October following he located for practice in Carroll, where he has since built up an extensive and lucrative clientage. His success in a professional way affords the best evi- dence of his capabilities in this line. He is a strong advocate with the jury and concise in his appeals before the court. Much of the success which has attended him in his professional career is undoubtedly due to the fact that in no instance will he permit himself to go into court with a case unless he has absolute confidence in the justice of his client's cause. Basing his efforts on this principle, from which there are far too many lapses in professional ranks, it naturally follows that he seldom loses a case in whose support he is enlisted.
On the 25th of June, 1899, Mr. Wissler was united in marriage to Miss Ollie Cranston, who was born in Cass county on the 3d of September, 1876. Their children are five in number, namely: Wade, whose birth occurred in Iowa City on the 29th of May, 1900; Myra June, whose natal day was August 15, 1902; Don, who was born on the 7th of October, 1904; Rex,
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY
whose birth occurred on the 10th of November, 1906; and Eugene Carroll. born May 11, 1911. The four last named were born in Carroll.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Wissler has supported the men and measures of the democracy. In the fall of 1906 he was elected to the office of county attorney and is now serving his second term. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows and the Modern Woodmen of America, while in the line of his profes- sion he is connected with the State Bar Association. His wife is a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His life is actuated by high and honorable principles, manifest in his professional and social relations and in his connection with public interests.
R. H. WHEELER.
R. H. Wheeler, assistant cashier of the German Savings Bank of Man- ning, Iowa, gives promise as the years advance of making his mark in the financial world. This prophecy is based upon the reputation he has estab- lished of possessing sound judgment and good business capacity. He is a native of Salida, Colorado, born July 28, 1885, being a son of George H. and Mary M. (Ryel) Wheeler, both of whom were born in New York state. The father has spent a large part of his life in the middle west and west. The hardware business has occupied most of his time and he now resides at Tacoma, Washington. He is a member of the Masonic order. The mother of our subject is deceased. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler were three children : R. H .; Louella, the wife of John A. Campbell, of Botna, Iowa; and Leland, who lives in Tacoma.
Mr. Wheeler, whose name introduces this review, was educated in the public schools of Neola, Harlan and Manning. After leaving school he worked on a farm two years and for one and one-half years was connected with a poultry house. In November, 1906, he was appointed bookkeeper of the German Savings Bank of Manning and has since been identified with that institution, having been advanced to the position of assistant cashier April 6, 1909. This bank was organized in 1899 and has now been in exist- ence about twelve years. It is capitalized at fifty thousand dollars. The in- corporators were F. M. Leet, G. H. Dietz, John H. Kuhl, John Grelck, Julius Brunnier, Gustav Jans, A. K. Resner and A. T. Bennett, and the original officers were: F. M. Leet, president ; A. T. Bennett, vice president ; W. F. Carpenter, cashier ; and F. L. Shumaker, assistant cashier. The officers at the present time are: H. P. Mundt, president ; H. P. Hansen, vice presi- dent ; F. W. Wohlenberg, cashier; and R. H. Wheeler, assistant cashier. The bank has been successful from the start and is one of the well estab- lished and flourishing institutions of this section.
Politically Mr. Wheeler has from the time of casting his first ballot been a stanch supporter of the republican party and socially is identified with the Masonic order, whose beneficent principles have had an important effect in
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY
shaping his life. He is also a member of the fire department of Manning. By his kindly disposition he has gained a wide circle of friends and ac- quaintances and by the able discharge of his duties in his chosen calling has practically demonstrated his ability as a business man. Although only twenty-six years of age, he has gained an enviable reputation in a business calling for rare discrimination and thorough knowledge of human nature, and his friends have no doubt that he will "make good" in the discharge of any responsibility he may be called upon to fill.
JOSEPH S. SCHAPMANN.
Among the native sons of Iowa who are utilizing the excellent opportuni- ties offered by this state to the agriculturist and stock-raiser is numbered Joseph S. Schapmann. He was born in Carroll, Carroll county, on the 26th of December, 1875, a son of Henry and Mary (Drees) Schapmann. The father, who was born near Berlin, Germany, came to the United States in young manhood and for a time made his home in Dubuque, Iowa, whence he removed to Carroll, Carroll county, at an early day, being one of the very first business men of that city. At one time he conducted a store at Mount Carmel, Iowa, and engaged in farming for a year, after which he entered the saloon business in Carroll and there passed away on the 2d of January, 1885. His remains were interred at the cemetery at Mount Carmel. His wife still survives and makes her home with her son, Joseph S. Schapmann, who is the third in order of birth in a family of four sons and one daughter, the others being as follows : John, a resident of Nebraska ; Henry, deceased ; Frank F., of Tilden, Nebraska ; and Mary, residing with her mother.
At the usual age Joseph S. Schapmann became a pupil in the schools of Mount Carmel, and then of Breda, following which he became an attendant of the parochial schools of Carroll, and after passing through consecutive grades therein completed his education in the college of that city. He thus became well equipped by thorough mental training for life's practical and responsible duties, and since entering the business world has manifested keen sagacity and sound judgment. He is now operating the old homestead farm for his mother, consisting of three hundred and twenty acres in Kniest township, in addition to which they own considerable land in Nebraska, Kansas and Idaho. His time is divided between his general farming and stock-raising interests, being an extensive feeder of graded stock, and in both branches his efforts are meeting with most satisfactory results, for he is industrious, energetic and persevering and gives close attention to the de- tails of his business, while at the same time he employs the most modern and up-to-date methods.
Mr. Schapmann was married June 9, 1908, to Miss Frances Ortner, and unto them have been born two children: Agnes and Alma. Mr. and Mrs. Schapmann hold membership in the Mount Carmel Catholic church and the former is identified fraternally with the Modern Woodmen of America at
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IHISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY
Breda, Iowa, and the Knights of Columbus, at Carroll. Early in life he be- came interested in the politics of the country and, forming his own opinions and rules of conduct, has given support to the democratic party. He has served as clerk of the township and has ever been a helpful worker for the best interests of the community in which he resides, at all times being in line with any movement purposing to better local conditions. His entire life has been passed in this locality and his genuine worth has given him a firm hold upon the regard, respect and good will of all with whom he has come in contact.
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