USA > Iowa > Mills County > A biographical history of Fremont and Mills Counties, Iowa > Part 33
USA > Iowa > Fremont County > A biographical history of Fremont and Mills Counties, Iowa > Part 33
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business men of the place. He engages in trading and also owns and conducts a large livery business, having two extensive barns. He has a block of eleven lots and also con- siderable improved property which he rents, including the Grand Hotel. He likewise rents a block of land adjoining the stock- vards and on it he has a fine race track. Residence property in Omaha also belongs to him and brings a good rental, thus materi- ally increasing his income. Ile is widely recognized as a progressive and prominent business man and an excellent financier, occupying a leading position in commercial circles and commanding the confidence and respect of all who know him.
Mr. Johnston was united in marriage to Miss Ruth 1. Hasbrook, who was born in Mercer county, Illinois, December 3. 1856, and is a lady of intelligence and culture, belonging to one of the early families of that locality. Her parents, Thomas and Louisa ( Wood) Hasbrook, were natives of Ger- many, and the former was a farmer by oc- cupation. Ile removed to Texas and served in the Confederate army at the time of the Civil war. After the close of hostilities he started to return to Illinois, but died in his wagon while on the trip. The family con- tinued on their way to the Prairie state, where they remained until after the children were grown when the mother made her home with her sons and daughters. Her death occurred in Nebraska. She was twice married, her first husband having been a ELI FICKEL. Mr. Tennie. By that marriage she had three children, namely: Mrs. Emma Hasbrook; Among those farmers who have made comfortable homes and gained much of this world's desirable goods by the efforts of their own hands, is Eli Fickel, the subject of Mrs. Fannie Pierce; and Permilia, wife of W. Whan. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hasbrook were born five children : Mary, wife of W. Huett; Effie, wife of J. Clark; Kate, wife of | this sketch, who resides upon one of the
J. Weaver: Ruth, the wife of our subject; and Minnie, wife of HI. Jackson. The mother of this family was a member of the Baptist church.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Johnston was blessed with eight children : Joseph T., who was born January 6, 1876; William T., born August 19, 1877; Leonard O., born March 9, 1880: Jennie Isabel, born Decem- ber 1. 1885: Gertrude R., born April 4, 1888; Edith May, born June 20, 1800: Eva B., born June 11, 1893; and Ida Jessamine, born August 24. 1898. Mr. Johnston is an influential member of the Democratic party in Fremont county, and exerts his influence with telling effect in support of its prin- ciples. Ile served in the office of postmaster of Randolph for four years in a manner en- tirely satisfactory to the people of the com- munity, but has ever been very modest in his demands, not asking for political reward for his services, which were given to the party because he believed in its principles as most conductive to good government. Ilis life is that of a thorough-going business man. Ile is particularly prompt in keeping his business engagements and expects the same consideration of others. Many of his associates testify in strong terms to his kind- ness of heart. finding in him not only a safe advisor, but also one whose counsel is not that of words alone.
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finest farms in Mills county, Iowa. He was born in Perry county, Ohio, November 13. 1830. a son of John and Rachel Fickel, the former of whom was born in Perry county. but died in Putnam county, Ohio, aged ser- enty-two. The latter was born in Balti- more, Maryland, and died in Mills county, Iowa, in her ninety-fifth year. Her parents were Peter and Mary Barnett, who were born in Baltimore, but died in Ohio.
Our subject was reared to farm life and had few educational advantages. Until twenty-one years of age he remained with his parents, but was married about that time to Catherine Madden, who died, leaving him one son. He had settled on a farm in Putnam county and it was not until after his second marriage, with Martha J. Mad- den, a cousin of his first wife, that he came to his present home. Mr. Fickel here owns two hundred and eighty acres of fine land. beginning with eighty acres, and has earned this large and productive estate by his own labor. He has engagd in farming and stock-raising, being very successful in both lines.
Sunday-school work, being superintendent, and is highly esteemed by the residents of Malvern and vicinity.
FRANCIS H. DASHNER.
The life history of Mr. Dashner. if written in detail, would form a volume con- taining many exciting and intensely inter- esting chapters. The old adage, "truth is stranger than fiction," is verified in his career. He has visited many ports of the civilized globe, has lived the wild life of a miner in the west and has followed the quiet pursuits of the farm in the Missouri valley.
It was on the Atlantic seaboard that his birth occurred, for he is a native of Jefferson county, New York, born February 28, 1827. The family is of French lineage. His grand- father and his father were both soldiers in the war of 1812 and were wounded in the battle of Sackett's Harbor. The latter bore the name of Francis Dashner and married Maggie July. In their family were three children, of whom our subject was the sec- ond in order of birth. He started out in life for himself at the age of nine years and has since made his own way in the world. Leaving his parental home, he went to Carthage, New York, and entered the em- ploy of a man engaged in the manufacture of cheese-boxes. A year and a half later his mother and sister induced him to return home, but he remained only for a short time. going thence to Pamelia Corners, in Jef- ferson county. New York, where he spent six weeks. On the expiration of that period he journeyed.to Watertown, New York, and in the vicinity of that place worked for two
Of the eleven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Fickel, seven still survive. Two of those who died left children. The young- est child died when only a few weeks old. Mr. Fickel is a member of the Democratic party, thoroughly believing in its principles. He cast his first vote for Franklin Pierce and. ever since has supported the candidates of | his party. For years Mr. Fickel has been one of the efficient members of the school board, taking great interest in educational matters. Mrs. Fickel died at the age of forty-five. During life she had been, with her husband, a consistent member of the Methodist church. Mr. Fickel is active in | years on a dairy farm. He was employed
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in that locality during the greater part of the time until he had attained the age of nine- teen years, when he became a representative of marine life, sailing on the different Amer ican lakes and seas for six years. During that period he was twice shipwrecked, once on a South Manitou island, when the vessel. the J. Y. Seammon, was lost; and again on the Big Sodus Reef, in Lake Ontario, the date of the latter being December 10. 1854. During his six years of seafaring life he was on all the principal lakes in North America. and he crossed the ocean to Queenstown, and also visited many other foreign ports.
At length Mr. Dashner abandoned the water, taking up his abode in Ogdensburg. New York, where he was engaged in busi- ness for two years. He next moved to Knox county, Illinois, where he began farm- ing, but after two years passed in the Prairie state he removed to Idaho, where he fol- lowed ranching and mining for about three years. He was very successful in his un- dertakings, making much money there, but while returning to the east he was robbed. in Denver, of a large sum and was severely wounded in his struggles with the bandits. The next spring. 1855. he came to Mills county, Iowa, where he has since resided. either in Lyons or in Platteville township. On the 16th of October of that year he was united in marriage to Miss Lucy Gonsollay. a daughter of Benjamin and Eliza ( Brow- er ) Gonsollay, natives of Illinois, Twelve children were born unto them, as follows: Cora May, who died June 27. 1894, at the age of twenty-six years: Maggie Zelpha. who died on the 4th of May. 1896, at the age of twenty-seven years; Clara Frances now the wife of Frank Johnson, a resident of St. Edwards, Nebraska : Francis Eugene.
who is living upon the home farm: Lillie Lnella, who died January 23. 1898, at the age of twenty-five years; Stella Elounant. who departed this life on the 7th of June, 1896, at the age of nineteen years: Sabra Victoria, who died September 25. 1899. at the age of twenty; Emily Lenora, whose death occurred September 25. 1899 : Clifford Clifton, who passed away at the age of six- teen years on the 30th of October. 1896; Clay Henry, who is living at home and as- sists in the operation of his father's farm ; Clara Pearl, who died in 1899: and Earl De- ville, at home. The mother of this family passed away on the 16th of August, 1894. when forty-seven years of age, and the father was afterward again married, on the 13th of January, 1897, his second union being with Mrs. Angeline Pfifer, a daughter of Elija and Frances ( Nix) Dalton, natives of Ken- tucky. Her father died in St. Joseph, Mis- souri, in 1885, at the age of sixty-five years. For many years he conducted a hotel in Lenox, Missouri, and in 1851 he came to Mills county, Iowa, locating in Oak town- ship. Ilis wife survived him for about ten years, passing away at her home in Oak township, in 1895, when seventy-nine years of age.
Since coming to lowa Mr. Dashner has constantly and successfully engaged in farm- ing, and is one of the most enterprising and progressive agriculturists of the entire coun- ty. Hle to-day owns three hundred and forty acres of land and is engaged in rais- ing stock and fruit, having over eleven hun- dred fruit trees. His methods of cultivating his farm are progressive and practical and bring to him an excellent income. Mr. Dashner has had an eventful life, yet, alto- gether his career has been a successful one.
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although he has met with many financial losses. He was twice robbed and has had many misfortunes, the greatest of which has been the loss of his children. He is a man of kind impulses, large-hearted and generous, and he possesses the friendship and esteem of all who know him.
H. E. HAWLEY.
Among the leading and prominent citi- zens of Sidney, Iowa, is Mr. Hawley, who is now so capably and satisfactorily serving as the treasurer of Fremont county. For sev- eral years he has been prominently identi- fied with public affairs, and is a recognized leader in the ranks of the Republican party.
Mr. Hawley was born in Jefferson coun -. ty, New York, on the 6th of August, 1849, and in 1864 came to this county with his parents, E. R. and Amelia Hawley, who were natives of Connecticut and New York, respectively. His early life was passed upon a farm, and his education was obtained in the public schools of Tabor, and in a busi- ness college at Burlington, Iowa. For some time he was engaged in the general merchan- dise business at Percival, this county, and was residing there when he first became identified with public affairs. His first offi- cial position was that of township clerk, ta which he was elected about 1881. Later he became prominently connected with county affairs, and was elected auditor in 1885 and treasurer in 1898. The latter office he is still filling in a most creditable manner, and is one of the most popular officials of the county. His political support has always been given the Republican party since he cast his first vote for U. S. Grant in 1872.
Fraternally he is connected with the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, and relig- iously is a member of the Congregational church. The marriage of Mr. Hawley took place October 20, 1875, with Flora Wad- hams. Of this union there have been born geven children-Gertrude, Grace, Floyd, Edith, Ethel, Winnefred and Herman. Floy is the deputy county treasurer.
JAMES M. STRAHAN.
The history of mankind is replete with illustrations of the fact that it is only under pressure of adversity and the stimulus of opposition that the best and strongest in men are brought out and developed. Per- haps the history of no people so forcibly impresses one with this truth as the annals of our own republic. If anything can in- spire the youth of our country to persistent, honest and laudable endeavor it should be the life record of such men as he of whom we write. The example of the illustrious few of our countrymen who have risen from obscurity to the highest position in the gift of the nation often serves to awe our young men rather than inspire them to emulation, because they reason that only a few can ever attain such eminence; but the history of such men as Mr. Strahan proves conclu- sively that with a reasonable amount of mental and physical power success is bound eventually to crown the endeavor of those who have the ambition to put forth their best efforts and the will and manliness to persevere therein. Certainly he deserves mention among the most prominent citizens of Mills county, having had a marked in- fluence upon the business life and the sub-
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stantial development of this portion of the state. His wide acquaintance will render his history one of special interest to many of our readers, and therefore we gladly give it a place in this volume.
Mr. Strahan is a native of Indiana, his birth having occurred in Putnam county on the 17th of November, 1829. His fa- ther. James Strahan, was born in Pennsyl- vania, August 6, 1781, and emigrated to the Hoosier state during the pioneer epoch of its development. He became identified with the farming interests of Putnam coun- ty, where he carried on agricultural pur- suits until his demise. In June, 1813, he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Ramsey, also a native of Pennsylvania, born December 16, 1793. They became the parents of seven children. The father died in Putnam county, Indiana, in September, 1835, and the mother, long surviving him, passed away in Davis county, Iowa, Octo- ber 7. 1857.
The subject of this review spent the first six years of his life in his native state, and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Illinois, being identified with the farming interests of that commonwealth until 1850, when he went to California, re- maining for three years on the Pacific coast. He then returned to Illinois, but in 1854 made a second trip to California, taking with him a drove of cattle across the plains. For a year he again remained in the land of gold and then retraced his steps to the Mississippi valley, but this time he located on the west side of the Father of Waters, becoming a resident of Marion county, Jowa, residing there until 1864, when he sold his land and removed to Lucas county, Iowa. In 1866 he removed to Henderson
county, Illinois, and in 1869 he returned to Marion county, lowa. There he resided until 1870, which year witnessed his arri- val in Mills county, where for almost a third of a century he has made his home. Since that time he has been a very prominent fac- tor in the business interests which have con- tributed not alone to his individual pros- perity, but have also promoted the general welfare of the community. Entering into partnership with John Evans, they engaged in farming and feeding cattle for the mar- ket, carrying on the latter branch of their business on a very extensive scale, selling from two hundred to a thousand head of cattle annually.
In 1873, in company with others, Mr. Strahan laid out that part of Malvern known as Strahan's addition into lots for building purposes. The town of Strahan, in Deer Creek township, has been named in his honor. His first home in Mills coun- ty was an old frame residence, but in 1881 he replaced it with one of the finest houses in the county. He first purchased eleven hundred acres of land, but is now the owner of fifteen hundred acres in Mills county and two thousand acres in Wayne county. His operations in land have been very ex- tensive and they bring to him a splendid income. Not only have his stock-raising interests assumed large proportions, but he has also dealt largely in grain, making enormous profits.
A man of resourceful business ability, his efforts have by no means been confined to one line, but have been extended to many fields of endeavor and have always been attended by success, for he is a man of sound business judgment, rarely if ever at fault in an opinion on business matters.
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
His name figures conspicuously on the pages of the pioneer history of Mills county. He was one of the organizers of the First Na- tional Bank. became its first president and has since occupied that position. His splen- did executive ability, keen sagacity and strong purpose enabling him to place the in- stitution upon a sound financial basis that has made it one of the leading moneyed institutions of the county. Its first cashier was L. Bentley, and the present cashier is J. J. Wilson, who has occupied the position for about ten years. Mr. Strahan is also the president of the First National Bank of Wayne county. He also has a private bank at Malvern, which is conducted under the firm name of Strahan & Christy. The fam- ily is a prominent one in connection with financial interests. His son, Frank E. Stra- han, is the vice-president of the First Na- tional Bank at Wayne, Nebraska, while Otis, another son, is assistant cashier in the First National Bank of Malvern. Few men have a more comprehensive, accurate and reliable knowledge of the banking busi- ness than has Mr. Strahan, who is widely recognized as one of the leading financiers of this portion of the west. He is a man of keen discernment and excellent execu- tive ability. He carries forward to success- ful completion whatever he undertakes and his perseverance and determined purpose have been important factors in his splendid success.
Mr. Strahan has been twice married. On the 3d of January, 1856, he led to the marriage altar Miss Frances C. Davis, of Henderson county, Illinois. Her father, Abner Davis. served in the war of 1812, and the farm upon which he made his home
was granted him in recognition of the aid which he rendered his country at that time. Five children, two sons and three daughters, were born of this marriage, namely: Otis A., who married Ida Morris and has two children; Lucy, who is the wife of D. A. Jones and has five children; Luella, who is the wife of June Conger, and they have five children; Francis E., who married Lu- ella Larison, and they have had six chil- dren, of whom three are now living; and Rosetta, who is the wife of John Larison. The mother of these children died August 30, 1885, and in 1889 Mr. Strahan was again married, his second union being with Mary W. ( Wheeler) Guilford, a daughter of William and Phebe Diana (Makyes) Wheeler. Her paternal grandparents were William R. and Hila ( Curtiss) Wheeler, Connecticut people. The latter died in Michigan. The grandfather was born October 16, 1782, and died in Connecti- cut in the thirty-ninth year of his age. The Wheelers were from Denmark, and a very prominent family there. Mrs. Stra- han was one of a family of fourteen chil- dren, ten of whom reached mature years, while the mother, who was born in Onon- daga county, New York, died at the ad- vanced age of eighty-one years. By her former marriage Mrs. Strahan had four children, of whom two are living: Jessie, now the wife of Alonzo Ring; and Lizzie, the wife of J. E. Cleaver, by whom she has three children. They also lost two daugh- ters: Ella, who became the wife of F. B. Rumsey, of Kansas, and died at the age of twenty-nine years, leaving a daughter. Charta became the wife of M. P. Steele, and died at the age of twenty-eight years,
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leaving one son, while one child died at the same time, occasioned by a gasoline explo- sion, March 6, 1899.
Mr. and Mrs. Strahan are prominent and influential members of the Baptist church, in which he has held membership since 1871. He has served as trustee and steward and has contributed liberally to its work, doing all in his power for its ad- vancement. The cause of temperance finds in him a warm friend, and he now affiliates with the Prohibition party, having cast his first vote in support of its candidates when he deposited his ballot for Governor St. John, of Kansas. Prior to that he was a Democrat in his political affiliations. Mr. Strahan is a most progressive and public- spirited citizen, and his wife is also noted for her generosity. They contribute very liberally to all worthy enterprises calculated to prove of public benefit, giving their active co-operation to every measure intended for the public good. They are people of the highest worth of character and their lives are in harmony with honorable principles. Regarded as a citizen, Mr. Strahan belongs to that public-spirited, useful and helpful type of men whose ambitions and desires are centered and directed in those channels through which flow the greatest and most permanent good to the greatest number, and it is therefore consistent with the purpose and plan of this work that his record be given among those of the representative men of the state.
HON. LEWIS T. GENUNG.
Whatever else may be said of the legal fraternity, it cannot be denied that members of the bar have been more prominent actors
in public affairs than any other class of the community. This is but the natural result of the causes which are manifest and re- quire no explanation. The ability and train- ing which qualify one to practice law also qualify him in many respects for duties which lie outside the strict path of his pro- fession and which touch the general inter- ests of society. Holding marked precedence among the members of the bar of Mills county, stands Hon. Lewis T. Genung, who is a recognized . leader of the Democratic party in this section of the state, and as a man prominent in public affairs, actively co- operating in many movements which have se- cured substantial advancement for the county.
Mr. Genung was born September 21, 1841, in Port Byron, Illinois. His father, John W. Genung, was born in France and came to the United States early in life. He died at his Illinois home when the sub- ject of this review was but three years of age. His wife bore the maiden name of Mary Henderson, and was a native of Newtown, Maryland. She, too, died in Port Byron, and is survived by four of her five children.
Lewis T. Genung was reared upon a farm and in his native village, and from early boyhood has been forced to depend upon his own resources and labors for a livelihood. Hle was permitted to attend school for only a few weeks, but he has developed his latent talents and im- proved his opportunities until to-day he is classed among the men of strong mind and scholarly attainments. Reading, experience and observation have added continually to his knowledge. He was first employed by the day and month. He remained at home at intervals until about eighteen years of
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age, but provided for his own support by working in the neighborhood. He then left home to accept a position as a farm hand, being employed in that capacity by the month. He applied himself diligently to the work entrusted to him and thus had the con- fidence and good will of his employers.
He watched with interest the progress of events at the south prior to the Civil war, and believing in the injustice of slavery and unconstitutionality of secession, he resolved that if the south attempted to overthrow the Union he would strike a blow in its de- fense. In the first year of the war he en- listed under Captain Beardsley, later Major Beardsley, as a member of the Thirteenth Illinois Infantry. The company did not leave the state for several months, and as a part of the regiment was cut off Mr. Gen- ung was transferred to Company H, of the Fifty-first Illinois Infantry, under Captain J. T. Whitson. He thus served from Au- gust, 1861, until the close of hostilities, for in February, 1864, he re-enlisted in the vet- eran corps. At the battle of Franklin he was wounded by a bayonet thrust, was cap- tured and placed in Cahaba prison, in Ala- bama, where he was incarcerated until the war was ended, when he received an hon- orable discharge there on the 13th of June, 1865. Previous to the time he was wound. ed by the bayonet he had sustained a wound while guarding one of General Rosecrans' wagon trains on the Secorn river, October 16, 1863. He was an aggressive soldier, whose patriotic loyalty was above question and he was ever found at his post of duty, whether on the picket line or on the firing line. When engaged in battle he was al- ways in the thickest of the fight, being brave and fearless. At Chickamauga all of the"
members of his company were killed save six, he being among the few who escaped. He reported each day for duty except when his wounds forced him to remain in the hos- pital. He participated in many of the im- portant engagements in the war, including the battles of Missionary Ridge and Lookout Mountain, the first battle of Corinth, Stone River, Chickamauga, and all the battles from Chattanooga to Jonesboro under Sher- man, and at the battle of Franklin, Ten- nessee. While held as a captive he was made the sheriff of the prison. He has a most enviable war record, and his most bitter political enemies never hesitate to give him credit for his honorable history as a soldier. He knew not what it was to fear or falter when his country called, and his fellow men, who know of his military service, esteem and respect him for what he did for his coun- try, although they may be opposed to him in political belief. In Neola, on the 4th of July, 1899, he delivered a splendid ora- tion on the war, vividly portraying to his hearers the condition of affairs at the time and showing that the Civil war was the greatest that has ever occurred in the world.
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