USA > Iowa > Mills County > A biographical history of Fremont and Mills Counties, Iowa > Part 32
USA > Iowa > Fremont County > A biographical history of Fremont and Mills Counties, Iowa > Part 32
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Our subject received his education in Sid- ney. lowa, passing through the high school at that place, and then engaged in farming. He has a fine tract of valuable land, compris-
ing ninety acres, upon which he carries on general farming and stock-raising, being particularly successful.
The marriage of our subject took place November 7, 1894, to Miss Olivia Alexan- der, who was born in Missouri, a daughter of Aaron and Martha ( Stokes) Alexander, the former of whom died in Missouri. the latter now being Mrs. Henry Keyser. of this place. One interesting little daughter. Belma Fern, just three years old, has been added to the family.
In national affairs our subject is always found voting with the Democratic party, but in local matters he casts his ballot for the man he deems best for the position, regard- less of general politics. He has been called upon to serve the township in some of the local offices, and has been a very efficient road supervisor for several terms. He is a valued member of the Methodist church at Sidney, while Mrs. Hiatt is connected with the Christian church. Both possess the es- teem of the community and are regarded as among the most respected residents of the county.
HENRY KUHL.
German industry and thrift has had much to do with making the prairies of the west the garden spot of the world. Towa has ben- efited materially by this good element in our population, and Mills county has its quota of German and German-American citizens. who have been successful personally and have been influential for the general prosperity of the people among whom they have cast their lot. One of the best known farmers of German birth in Ingraham township is Henry Kuhl, whose farm is in section 25.
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
Henry Kuhl was born in northern Ger- many, May 5, 1857, a son of Peter Kuhl, a farmer, and was reared to the work of the farm. His father, who was born in 1817, is now living in Ingraham township, aged eighty-three. He married Anna Steffen in 1841, and of their ten children they reared five sons and three daughters. The first of the family who came to America was Anna, the wife of Hentz Snecklot, who came in the spring of 1864 and lives in Nebraska. In the following fall Hans Kuhl came, accom- panied by his sister Maggie, who is now the wife of James Kay, of Oak township, Mills county. John is a prosperous Nebraska farmer. Klaus Kuhl, another brother of Henry Kuhl, came three years later. In the spring of 1873 Katie, another sister, came, and she is now Mrs. John Helkan, of Scott county, Iowa ; and Henry, the subject of this sketch, came in the fall of the same year. William came about 1878 and Peter and Anna (Steffen) Kuhl in the spring of 1880.
When Henry Kuhl came to America he was between sixteen and seventeen years old. He joined his brothers and sisters who had come to Scott county. Iowa, and worked there on farms until his parents arrived early in 1880, with Ferdinand, his youngest brother. In 1884 he bouglit his first farm of two hundred and forty acres, on which he had located the year before as a tenant, at the beginning of his'married life. He paid thirty-seven dollars an acre for the place and began with a debt upon him of seven thousand dollars, but applied himself so dil- igently to the task he had assumed that he overcame all obstacles and not only paid for the farm but made money on it and sold it in 1900 at sixty-four dollars an acre. He then bought three hundred and fifty-three acres
south of Silver City at fifty-two dollars an acre, and in the fall of the same year he bought eighty acres more. He owns also twenty acres of timber land. Beginning without cash capital, he has made a marked success in life and now ranks as one of the heavy farmers and prominent stockmen of his township. He breeds shorthorns, of which he has about fifty head of registered stock, and forty-three of which he purchased at one hundred and thirty-five dollars a head. He keeps also sixty head of grade stock, raises about forty calves each year, and has sold one yearling bull and two heifers at two hundred dollars each.
Mr. Kuhl was married August 20, 1883, to Johanna Bickel, of Mills county, a daugh- ter of Fred Bickel, of Germany, and they have had children as follows : William, now fifteen years old; Lennie, fourteen; Ferdi- nand, thirteen; Fritz, eleven: Lizzie, nine; Rudolph, five ; and Emil. Mr. Kuhl's father and mother celebrated their golden wedding in 1891. His mother soon afterward fell and broke her hip and the accident resulted in her death, in the spring of 1892, when she was seventy-five years old. His father, in fair health, has his home with his son, Henry. Mr. Kuhl was reared in the Lutheran faith and he is independent in politics.
JAMES SIMEON FRANCIS.
The subject of this personal narrative is one of the successful and progressive farm- ers of Mills county, his home being in Silver Creek township. He has made his special field of industry an eminent success, and is highly esteemed and respected by all who know him.
Mr. Francis was born in Kalamazoo county, Michigan, on the 24th of January,
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
1838, a son of Lymon and Rachel ( Fuller) Francis, both natives of New York. His paternal grandparents, Simeon Francis and wife, spent their entire lives in the Empire state, and the maternal grandparents, Abial and Dezier ( Stephens) Fuller, were also residents of New York, though the former was born in Massachusetts.
The father of our subject was a farmer and carpenter and devoted his later years to wagon making. He also was a shoemaker throughout the greater part of his life. In 1835 he removed with his family to Mich- gan, where he made his home until 1851, and then went to Illinois, but three years later came to lowa, locating in Benton coun- ty: where his last days were spent. His death occurred when he was a little past sixty-eight years of age. His wife had died in the spring of 1851. when more than forty-three years of age. In their family were twelve children, six of whom are still hving.
During his minority James Simeon Fran- cis remained with his father, and although he commenced life for himself at the age of twenty-one he continued under the parental roof until his marriage. In the meantime. however, he was in the service of his coun- try for three years during the Rebellion. On the 6th of August. 1862, he enlisted in Company A. Twenty-eighth Jowa Volum- teer Infantry, under Captain William Gas- ton, who in turn was succeeded by the fol- lowing: J. A. Shutts, John A. Pahner and William McGuire. Mr. Francis participated in every battle and skirmish in which the regiment took part with exception of the time he was confined in the hospital. For three months he was in the hospital at Jet- ferson Barracks, and was then transferred
to the hospital at Quincy, Illinois, where he remained for five months. At the close of the war he was mustered out at Savannah, Georgia, and discharged at Davenport, Iowa, .August 12, 1865. His health being per- manently impaired he now receives a pension from the government.
In March. 1866. Mr. Francis was united in marriage with Miss Mary Hawley, also a native of Kalamazoo county, Michigan. The parents of Mrs. Francis were Sheldon and Eliza ( Hawey ) Hawley. both na- tives of New York. They died in Benton county, lowa, the father at sixty-eight years of age, and the mother at the age of seventy- six years and nine months. To Mr. and Mrs. Francis have been born five children, four of whom are still living. namely : Frank D., who is married and has one son and one daughter : William E., who married Miss Lizzie Jackson, of Silver Creek town- ship. December 19. 1900. and resides near his father: Della E., who is married and has one daughter: and Iva E., at home. All have received good educational advantages and are now residents of Iowa.
As previously stated. Mr. Francis began his business career at the age of twenty-one. and was successfully engaged in farming in Benton county for several years, owning and operating a well improved place of eighty acres. In 1883. however, he removed to Mills county, and purchased the Davis farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Silver Creek township. Under his careful super - vision it is made to yield a bountiful return for the care and labor bestowed upon it. and is to-day one of the most desirable places of its size in the locality.
Since attaining his majority Mr. Francis has affiliated with the Republican party, and
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860. While a resident of Ben- ton county he served as township trustee, and has ever taken a commendable interest in public affairs. He and his family attend the Christian church at Malvern, and are people of the highest respectability.
CONRAD MAGEL.
The Magels are numbered among the pioneer families of Iowa. In the early days when Iowa was still under territorial gov- ernment the parents of our subject took up their abode within its borders, and in Des Moines county, near the city of Burlington, on the 22d of November, 1847. Conrad Ma- gel was born, a son of Sibert and Mary (Lee) Magel. The parents were both natives of Germany and on the same vessel they crosed the Atlantic to the new world and were married in Iowa. They belonged to prominent families in the fatherland and be- came frontier settlers in the new world. It was in the year 1833 that Sibert Magel cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers west of the Mississippi. He left his home full of hope, true-hearted and determined to make the best of his op- portunities in the land of the free; and though he had no capital to assist him his resolute spirit, energy. perseverance and economy have enabled him to advance stead- ily toward success. Although he met many hardships and trials, he was not discouraged but worked hard to carry out his earnest purpose to gain an honest living and provide a good home for his family. His labors were crowned with prosperity, and when he was called to the home beyond he left a very large estate.
Near Burlington, which was then a col- lection of cheap houses, constituting a small hamlet. he located a claim and began im- proving it. He also worked at other em- ployments that would bring to him some ready money. When he married he found an able assistant in his wife and together they labored to establish a home. When the land was put upon the market he attend- ed the sale, and though he had not been able to save enough to purchase his claim, he found a friend who lent him the money, on which he paid fifty per cent interest un- til he was out of debt. From the clain- he developed an excellent homestead, upon which he remained throughout the re- mainder of his days, passing away on the 9th of August. 1897. His wife preceded him to the home beyond, being called to her final rest December 5. 1896. Through- out their lives they were consistent members of the Lutheran church, in which they had been reared. He was a very important factor in the development and improvement of the section of the state in which he lived, and while promoting his individual, pros- perity also added to the general prosperity. He possessed superior business and executive ability and was an excellent financier, so that he was enabled to carry forward to success- ful completion whatever he undertook. He dealt quite extensively in real estate, pur- chasing and selling much farm land and city property. He was one of the leaders in all movements calculated to promote the im- provement and upbuilding of Burlington, and at the time of his death his realty possessions in that city were extensive and important. When he came to Towa there were no mills in Des Moines county, and he aided in erecting the first one within its
CONRAD MAGEL
TBF AFK YORK PURIT LIMPARY
ANUNCIO LAND ILDEN /NINJATIONG
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
borders. He lived to see the county settled up by progressive and prominent people, and every line of business, agricultural. com. mercial and professional represented there. Towns and villages sprang up and Burling. ton developed from a few cabins to a city of splendid proportions and importance. Mr. Magel withheld his support from no movement or measure calculated to prove of general good, and just a year before his death gave one thousand dollars to the Burlington Hospital. He also reared a large and interesting family who are now well established in life, carrying forward the work he inaugurated. Elizabeth is the widow of William Hilgartner : William and Henry are living in Des Moines county ; Charles is a prominent farmer and stock- raiser of Fremont county : Conrad, the sub- ject of this review: Peter is living neal Burlington : Mary is the wife of J. Schafer. of Burlington ; Margaret is the wife of 11. Steyh, also of that city: Theodore S .. who was a prominent farmer, died January 23. 1895, being killed by a horse, and left a wife and five children ; and Benjamin, who is living in Des Moines county, where he is a prominent and influential man.
Conrad Magel acquired his education in the country schools near his home and was reared to habits of industry and economy on the home farm. When twenty-two years of age he left the parental roof and went out into the world to fight life's battles, and in 1869 came to Fremont county with his brother Charles on a prospecting tour. They also visited Nebraska, making the western trip in order to look after lands entered by their father. Returning home they completed arrangements to take up the work of cultivating the lowa land and in
1870 located permanently in Fremont coul- ty. They had means to prosecute the work. erected a house on the prairie, which they began breaking and soon were busily en- gaged in farming. A man was employed to assist in the work of the farm, while his wife did the housekeeping, for both Mr. Magel and his brother were unmarried at the time. The location of the farm was most favorable, being in the valley of the Nishnabotna river and extended back to the bluffs, the rising ground affording an excellent building site. upon which the brothers erected their house. At the time there were no farms near. and they could ride in any direction without hindrance. There were no fences in the locality and so they had to fence their entire property with- out the assistance of division fences. Their first crop was sod corn and soon their land was placed under a high state of cultivation and brought to them an excellent return. The brothers continued the business together until ISSo, when they married and their property interests were divided by mutual consent. Charles retaining the first improve ments, while Conrad Magel purchased an adjoining farm of one hundred and sixty acres, upon which he took up his abode. The work of improvement had been carried forward there to only a very slight degree. but with characteristic energy he labored early and late, and, being successful. he added from time to time to his property until he now owns nine hundred and twenty acres of land in this county and valuable tract in Nebraska. He has made many ex- cellent improvements, including the erection of a fine two-story residence and supplied with all modern conveniences. A large barn furnishes shelter for grain and stock
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
and other substantial outbuildings have been erected. The home is seen through the vista of forest and ornamental trees, which have been planted by Mr. Magel, and an excel- lent orchard yields its fruit in season, and the place, pleasantly located five miles east of Sidney, is one of the finest country seats in the county. Mr. Magel also has business property in Malvern, is a stock- holder in the Sidney Bank and Jendis money on security, but devotes the greater part of his attention to the management of his farming and stock-raising interests. He is an extensive feeder and shipper of cattle and hogs and in all lines of his business he is meeting with creditable success. His in- vestments have been judiciously made and his enterprise and sound judgment have con- tinually added to his income.
In 1880 Mr. Magel was united in mar- . county, where they purchased a farm, upon riage to Miss Mary E. Newlon, who was born in Fulton county, Illinois, July 30, 1855. She is a lady of energy and culture, belonging to one of the honored early fam- ilies of Illinois, her parents being Williani H. and Margaret (Schafer) Newlon. Her mother was a widow at the time she mar- ried Mr. Newlon and was a daughter of Jacob Linkenfelter. of Pennsylvania, and was of German descent, and at an early day emigrated westward, taking up his abode in Fulton county, Illinois, where he followed farming. His children were: James, of Washington, D. C .: William, of Altoona, Pennsylvania ; Mrs. Margaret Newlon ; and Mrs. Jane Feathers. After attaining womanhood Margaret Linkenfelter gave her hand in marriage to Jacob Schafer, a native of Germany, who crossed the At- lantic to America in early manhood with his father and family. They located in Penn-
sylvania and after a number of years re- moved to Fulton county, Illinois, where his father followed agricultural pursuits. Jacob Schafer learned the tailor's trade and was engaged in that line in Pennsylvania, but in Illinois he turned his attention to farm- ing. He died in 1852, in the faith of the Lutheran church. in which he was an earnest worker. He left to his wife and four children a good farm. His childrent were: L. D., now a merchant of Sidney, Iowa : Henry E., who was an insurance agent in Chicago and died in 1898: L. A., a prom- inent agriculturist of Fremont county : and Louisa. the deceased wife of D. Morehead. A few years after the death of her first husband Mrs. Schafer became the wife of William H. Newlon. They subsequently sold the homestead and lived in Fremont which they lived until old age, when they sold that property and took up their abode in Sidney, where they lived until called to the home beyond. Mrs. Newlon died in February, 1897, and Mr. Newlon in March of the same year. He was a plain. unas- suming but honest farmer, and both he and his wife were consistent members of the Methodist church. He had one brother, Hardy, who is now living in Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Newlon had but three children, namely : Mrs. Magel: Edward F., of Ne- braska; and D. C., a carpenter of Sidney. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Magel has been blessed with four children : Sibert W., settled on a farm in Fremont county: Mar- garet, who died at the age of nineteen years and was deeply mourned by her family and friends : and Frank and James G., who are yet with their parents. Both Mr. and Mrs. Magel were reared in the Lutheran faith,
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BIOGRAPHIICAL IHISTORY.
to which he still adheres, but his wife now belongs to the Methodist church. In his po- litical affiliations he was a Democrat until 1896, when he joined the ranks of the Re- publican party, of which he is now an carnest advocate. His worth is widely acknowl- edged and his life record furnishes an ex- ample that may well be emulated. for through an honorable career he has gained a handsome competence and at the same time has kept untarnished the family name.
WILLIAM C. JOHNSTON.
Mr. Johnstou has a remarkable record, and from the study of his life history one may learn valuable lessons. The spirit of self-help is the source of all genuine worth in the individual and is the means of bring- ing to man success when he has no advant- ages of wealth of influence to aid him. It illustrates in no uncertain manner what it is possible to accomplish when perseverance and determination form the keynote to a man's life. Depending on his own resources, looking for no outside aid or support, he has risen from comparative obscurity to a place of prominence both in the commercial and political world .. The town of Randolph owes much to him on account of his connec- tion with her business interests, and in the early days of his residence in Fremont coun- ty he was a prominent factor in agricultural circles. Mr. Johnston was born near Que- bec, Canada, September 22, 1851. Ilis paternal grandfather, Joseph Johnston, Sr .. was a farmer and died in Ireland, his native land. AH of his children remained in that country with the exception of his two sons. John and Joseph, who crossed the Atlantic to Canada. The former followed farming
and reared his family in the English prov- ince, and all of his children have now passed
Joseph Johnston, Jr., the father of our subject, was born in county Monaghan, Ire- land, and when twenty years of age came to the new workl, taking up his abode in Can- ada, where he followed any pursuit that would yield him an honest living. He de- voted much of his time to the work of a farm hand and saved as much of his earnings as possible. Ten years later he married Miss Mary Ann Lackey, a native of the south of Ireland, born in Westmeath, whence she came to America in early life; but in the meantime Mr. Johnston had purchased a tract of land, on which the young couple began their domestic life. A small home was erected upon the place and a portion of the land had been cleared, but much of it was covered with timber and it required hard labor to clear, develop and improve it. How- ever, with characteristic energy the father resolutely set to the task and there remained until after the birth of all of his ten chil- dren. In 1854 he sold the property and re- moved to Illinois, taking up his abode in Mercer county, where he purchased a large farm of fine land, becoming one of the lead- ing and influential agriculturists of that community. He carried on general farm- ing and stock-raising and his labors were attended with prosperity. His business ca- reer was also characterized by honest deal- ings and his name became the synonym for integrity in business transactions. He was a man rather under medium size, but was quite athletic and strong. While living in Canada he was an officer in the militia. He continued to make his home on his Illinois farm until his death, which occurred March
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
30, 1865, when he was seventy-two years of age. He was a broad-minded and intelli- gent man, possessing good business qualifi- cations, whereby he acquired a very desir- able estate. He was of a social nature, yet was quiet in demeanor and never aspired to public office or notoriety. The people of the community found him a good neighbor and the poor and needy an assisting friend. " He was hopeful in his views of life, did all he could to better the condition of the human race and his own sterling integrity and honor left a strong impress for good upon all with whom he came in contact. His widow still survives him at the ripe old age of ninety- four years, having been born June 23, 1807. She is a large woman, of strong constitution, and has done her share of hard work in the world. After her children were born and married she sold the old homestead and came to Fremont county, Iowa, in 1877, in order to be near her children, who were living in this locality. Here she purchased a small farm, which she afterward sold, and erected a comfortable residence in Randolph, which has since been her place of abode. She yet supervises the work of her own home, and now in the full enjoyment of a well-spent life she is surrounded by many of her chil- dren, who are prominent citizens of the com- munity and do honor to her name. She, too, is a member of the Episcopal church. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Johnston were born the following named : John, a leading business man of Randolph; Joseph, who is living in Rock Island, Illinois; James, who became a resident of Madison, Nebraska; Elizabeth, wife of William Jingles, a farmer of Fre- mont county : Mary Ann, wife of James Dickman, of Rock Island, Illinois; Isabel, wife of J. Allely, a prominent agriculturist
of Fremont county; Frank, who died at Omaha, Nebraska, in 1891, leaving a family of five children; Jennie, wife of M. Allely, an agriculturist of Fremont county ; Will- iam C. of this review; and Isaac, who died in Omaha, leaving two children.
William C. Johnston was only three years of age when, in 1854, his parents re- moved from their Canada home to Mercer county, Illinois, where he was reared to manhood. He acquired a common-school education, remaining under the parental roof until 1875, assisting in the work of the home farm. He was then married, after which he located upon a farm and raised one crop in the Prairie state. In 1876 he came to Iowa, establishing a home in Fre- mont county. He had but a small amount of money at the time, and is practically a self-made man. He first purchased a tract of raw land from the government, making arrangements to pay for the same at a future date. His earnest labor and his excellent management enabled him to meet the pay- ments at the required time, and his unflag- ging energy and honorable dealing brought to him continued success as the years passed by. He now owns three hundred and twenty acres for meadow and for pasturage pur- poses. Upon the place is a commodious home, substantial barn, good orchard and all other modern improvements which con- stitute the model farm of the twentieth cen- tury. He carried on general farming and also did some trading, but fed much of the products of his farm to his stock. Of late years he has rented his land, having in 1886 removed from the farm to Randolph, where he has a commodious residence,-one of the most attractive homes of the city. He has since been numbered among the leading
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