USA > Iowa > Keokuk County > A genealogical and biographical history of Keokuk County, Iowa > Part 4
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Frederick Meyer, of this sketch, was about one and one-half years
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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
old when his parents brought him to Geman township. Here he was reared and attended school, assisting in the farm work, driving oxen, plowing and breaking up the prairie land. After he was twenty-one years old he worked for a neighboring farmer for one year, and in June, 1879, was married to Miss Mary Cassens, who was born in Hanover, Ger- many, on November 13, 1847. She came to America with her parents when about five years of age and was reared in German township. Her first marriage was to Ernest Fauth, and five children were born to this union, namely : Henry, John, Charles, Anna and Matilda. The children born to our subject and wife are the following: William, Gustaf, Mary, Louisa and Emma.
In addition to being an extensive farmer. Mr. Meyer is a large stock raiser and owns eight hundred acres of land. He has taken a prominent part in politics and has held various offices, being township trustee for three years. He is fraternally connected with the order of Modern Brotherhood of America and belongs to and liberally con- tributes to the support of the Evangelical church. He is one of the re- sponsible, substantial and representative citizens of German township.
HENRY FREDERICK DUENSING.
Henry Frederick Duensing, a prominent farmer and old settler of German township, Keokuk county, Iowa, owning a fine farm in section 6, was born in Hanover, Germany, March 14, 1844, and is a son of Christian and Dorethe (Voltmer) Duensing, both of whom were nat- ives of Germany. Prior to coming to America in 1845 Christian Duen- sing was a farmer and oil mill operator in his native land. He landed
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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
in New Orleans, where he spent six months, and then came up the river as far as St. Louis, Missouri, but three weeks later came on to Keokuk county, lowa, and settled in German township, in May. 1846. Here he took up one hundred and eighty acres of government land, built a log house on it and moved his family there. This log cabin has a his- toric interest, as it was the second house erected in German township and still stands on the farm which our subject now owns. There the family lived until the father later built a second log house, as the family was increased by the birth of three more children, consisting then of three sons and three daughters. The father died in 1879, in his sixty-ninth year. The mother lived until she was seventy-six years of age. Both parents were most worthy, industrious and kind- hearted people, who were esteemed by all who knew them; they were pioneers who were of great value to German township. Of their children three daughters and one son, our subject, grew to maturity.
Henry Frederick Duensing was the fourth child and the second son born to his parents, and was two years and two months old when his father came to Keokuk county, making him one of the old residents. His education was obtained in the log schoolhouse with its puncheon floor, and the writing lesson was given to the pupils as they rested on their knees and made desks out of their slab seats. He also attended a German school for a time and thus acquired an excellent knowledge of all the necessary branches. He began to assist on the farm as soon as he was old enough and has always been interested in agricultural matters.
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On December 27, 1867, Mr. Duensing was united in marriage with Adeline Bruns, who was also born in Germany, March 6, 1851, and came to America when not quite seventeen years of age and joined
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GENEALOGICAL, AND BÄ°OGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
her sister in Keokuk county, Iowa. After marriage they settled on the old homestead, which is a fine farm of three hundred and forty acres, and in addition to this he owns another valuable tract, comprising one hundred and fifty acres, in Lancaster township. Not only has he been a very successful farmer, but he is one of the largest stock raisers ju the township, making a specialty of sheep and cattle raising. His farms are generally acknowledged to be the finest in Keokuk county. During his fifty-six years' residence in German township he has seen many changes, and can recall the time when there were but three houses in Sigourney, which is now a thrifty town of about two thousand popu- lation.
The twelve children born to our subject and wife were as follows: Christian, deceased; Anna, the wife of John Seger, of Idaho; Mary, the wife of Henry Speiss, of Keokuk county; Henry Ferdinand, married Kate Reck, of Keokuk county; Dorethe W., the wife of Arthur Goeld- ner, of German township; Katherine E., single, at home; as are also Jolın C. G., Fred D., Hannah W., Adeline M., Sophia L., and Arthur L. Mr. Duensing has been a life-long Democrat and has held many of tlie local offices in the township, being one of its most honest and upright citizens. He has long been a member and a very liberal sup- porter of the Evangelical church, of which the family also are members.
JAMES ALLEN RENTFRO.
James Allen Rentfro, a successful farmer and representative citizen of Keokuk county, Iowa, was born in Illinois, near Springfield, on January 10, 1834. His parents were Jolin S. and Telitha ( Hollenbeck) Rentfro, the former of whom was born March 1, 1806, in Kentucky
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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
and was taken when young to Illinois by his grandfather, by whom he was reared to manhood. John S. grew up a farmer, and with his neigh- bors took part in the Black Hawk war. He married Telitha Hollenbeck, who was born in Kentucky in 1810, a daughter of Abraham Hollenbeck, who moved to Illinois and there reared his children. This family was of Dutch descent. In 1849 Mr. Rentfro moved to Keokuk county, lowa, and lived in Steady Run township for six years, removing then for a short time to Sigourney, and about 1882 located on the farm of two hundred acres in Van Buren township, which is now the property of our subject. Mr. Rentfro was a hard-working, industrious man and made valuable improvements wherever he located. In political sen- timent he was a Republican. A family of twelve children was born to him and wife, as follows: Mary, Elizabeth, James Allen, William, Nancy, Joseph, Rebecca, Margaret, John, Perry, Robert and Martha; Mary, Nancy, Perry and Robert being deceased.
Our subject was reared until his fifteenth year in Illinois and then accompanied his father to Iowa. Here he assisted on the farm until the outbreak of the Civil war, when with loyalty he offered his services to the government, enlisting in July, 1861, in the Fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, under Colonel Worthington, and serving faith- fully for three years. Mr. Rentfro took part in the siege of Vicksburg and was wounded at luka, Mississippi, on September 19, 1862, so seri- ously that he was kept for four months in a hospital and was then transferred to the veteran reserves. He was mustered out at St. Louis, Missouri, on July 4, 1864, with a fine record. After his return from the army our subject resumed farming and after his father's death purchased the old home farm, which he has continued to successfully operate ever since.
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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
The first marriage of Mr. Renfro was to Lovinia McMillian, and two children were born to this union, both of whom died in infancy. His second marriage was to Arilla D. Curtis, who was born in November, 1851, in Ohio, and is a daughter of Benjamin F. and Amanda Curtis, both of whom were born in Ohio and became early settlers in Iowa. To this marriage a family of eight children has been born, all of whom survive except the eldest, John S. The others are : Clarence C., Bessie L., Harley A., Charles C., Earl, Clarkson, and Benita A., all of whom were born and have been reared and educated in this county. The eldest son is a minister in the Advent church, to which religious body the family belongs. Our subject is assistant in the Sunday school and an honored deacon in the church. In politics he is a Republican and takes a somewhat active part in its local organizations. Mr. Rentfro is a hero of the Civil war, a hard-working, honest and upright man who enjoys, as he deserves, the respect of the community in which he lives.
LEONARD CLARY.
Leonard Clary, who during life was a prominent farmer and rep- 1 esentative citizen of Van Buren township, Keokuk county, Iowa, was born in Fleming county, Kentucky, July 14, 1827, and died March 21, 1893. His parents were George and Frances (Seibold) Clary, the former of whom was born in Maryland and went to Kentucky when he was very young, his parents moving to that state. When he attained maturity he was married to Frances Seibold and they reared five chil- dren, two boys and three girls; of these our late subject was the oldest, two of the family being now deceased.
When Leonard Clary, of this sketch, was four years of age his
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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
parents moved to Indiana, where they resided for nine years, moving then to Keokuk county, Iowa, and settling in Van Buren township. In the eastern part of the township Mr. Clary entered six hundred and forty acres of land, providing a farm for each of his children in this way. Each settled on his own land and undertook the clearing of it. In 1858 Leonard Clary moved to Missouri and there engaged in farming until 1861, when he came back to Van Buren township and settled on a tarn which he operated here for ten years, moving then to Union county, but in 1877 located on the farm now occupied by his family. consisting of one hundred and sixty acres.
In December, 1849, Leonard Clary was united in marriage with Emily Asberry, who was born March 21, 1833, in Indiana, and is a daugliter of Benjamin and Mary H. ( Porter ) Asberry, both of whom were natives of the south, the former of Virginia and the latter of Kentucky. While still quite a young man, Mr. Asberry settled in Ken- tucky, where he married, and then moved to Indiana, where he followed his trade of blacksmith. In the fall of 1850 he removed to Monroe county, Iowa, and engaged there in farming for about twenty-two years, going then to Ringgold county, Iowa, where he died at the age of ninety-six years. During the Civil war he served during 1863 in what was called the Iowa Gray Beards regiment, coming home then on account of disability. The mother of Mrs. Clary, Mary H. Porter, be- longed to an old Kentucky family of prominence. These parents had a family of five boys and two girls, of which family Mrs. Clary was the second child. The names are noted as follows : Samuel, deceased ; Emily; Josephi, deceased ; Thomas; William; Mary Ann, and Benja- min ; all of whom were born in Indiana, and in that state Mrs. Clary was reared and educated. To her marriage with Mr. Clary were
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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
born eight children, namely: Henry, W. W., Maylon, Thomas, Mary F., Amos, and Idia M., all born in Keokuk county, and one died in infancy.
During life Mr: Clary was a most respected member of society. He took a great interest in all matters concerning his family and town- ship and never spared time or expense to advance their interests. In politics he was a Democrat and filled the office of assessor with credit to himself and the public. He had many warm friends and was known for his honesty and integrity.
MADISON PARK ELDRIDGE. ,
In the death of this man, March 16, 1897, the township of Lan- caster lost one of its old and influential citizens and a most successful ag- riculturist. Coming here in the early days, and never shirking re- sponsibility, he assisted in the molding and development of local in- stitutions, and at the same time so conducted his own affairs as to win for himself and family a very solid prosperity.
Mr. Eldridge was born in Cayuga county, New York, August 27, 1815, and was of a family well known and highly respected in that vicinity. His father, Richard Eldridge, was also born in New York, and there for the most part made his home. He was a patriotic citi- zen, and when the war of 1812 broke out enlisted and served as a private. He married Tacy Parker, and after her death he formed a second union. By the first marriage there were eight children, of whom Madison Park was the second. Mrs. Eldridge was of Welsh descent.
Madison Park Eldridge remained under the sheltering influence of a good home until he was nineteen years old, and in the common
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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
schools of his neighborhood procured a thorough rudimentary edtica- tion. Upon leaving home he went to the growing state of Ohio, where. making his home with an uncle, he hired out by the month as a farm hand. By attending strictly to his business he made good wages, and continued the work for some time. He later traveled extensively though the south, and finally coming to Stephenson county, Illinois, settled upon a farm, where he remained for some years. Previous experience as a farm hand had made him familiar with the different methods of agri- culture, and possessing the wisdom to apply the best to his own farm management he was enabled to earn more than a comfortable living for himself and family. He continued his work here with only one interruption until 1864. The break in his regular routine was caused by the Civil war. Though past the prime of life when this occurred, he did not hesitate to offer his services, and in 1862 enlisted in Company H, Ninety-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and went to the front as a private. After a year, however, on account of being disabled, he was honorably discharged. Soon after returning to his home he dis- posed of his Illinois farm and moved to Keokuk county, Iowa, settling upon the farm where his wife still resides. Here from year to year he made new improvements and cleared new tracts and he continued his labors here for thirty-four years. The place now embraces three hun- (red and twenty-three acres of good land, largely under cultivation, and is one of the most productive farms in the section, being a part of the bottom lands. In 1849, while still residing in Stephenson county, Illinois, Mr. Eldridge married Sophia Gaylord, who was born in Perrys- burgh. Cataraugus county, New York, January 24, 1827, and who at the age of twelve years moved with her parents to Stephenson county, Illinois, where in one of the rude log schoolhouses she procured her
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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
education. She is now residing on the splendid farm in Lancaster town- ship, which was left her by her husband. To Mr. and Mrs. Eldridge have been born the following children : Barber, who died young : Lucretia, who married F. D. Hicks, a farmer of Lancaster township, and they have two children, Zoe and Ruby; Lucy married Oliver Glass, and they have four children, Lottie, Mamie, Minnie and Max; Dan, residing in Arkansas; Jessie, deceased; Minnie, now deceased: Ettie, who married J. E. Flanigan, and they have four children, Lola, Ruth, Paul and Eugene.
Mr. Eldridge possessed to a marked degree the sound judgment, the physical vitality and the ability to keep before him one clear, stead- fast purpose, which go into the make-up of a successful agriculturist. Yet while succeeding in business, he never neglected his social and public obligations. As a Civil war veteran he was long prominent in the Grand Army of the Republic. He was known all over the county, and everywhere highly esteemed.
The Gaylord family to which Mrs. Eldridge belonged was from Connecticut. Both her grandfather, Amos Gaylord, and her father, Hiram Gaylord, were natives of that state, the latter being born in Ilartford. The grandfather moved to Illinois with his son and died there. The father was reared in Connecticut, but when a young man left the state and settled upon a farm in New York, where he engaged in agriculture successfully for some years. In 1839 he moved to Illinois and settled upon a farm in Stephenson county, where he spent the rest of his life, dying there at the age of sixty-five. After coming to New York Mr. Gaylord married Lucinda Chapin, who was born in Brattle- boro, Vermont, and when nine years old came with her parents, Daniel and Lucy Chapin, to Oneida county, New York. Her parents were
Johan Almean
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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
both born in Vermont, but were of Welsh and Irish descent. To Mr. and Mrs. Gaylord were born eight children, three sons and five daugliters. One child died in infancy. Mrs. Eldridge was next to the youngest.
JOHN AXMEAR, SR.
It is astonishing to witness the success of young men who have emigrated to America without capital and through their own unaided efforts have arisen to positions of wealth and prominence. The readiness with which they adapt themselves to circumstances and take advantage of the opportunities offered brings to them success and wins them a place among the leading men of the community in which they reside. To this class belongs John Axmear, Sr., a prosperous citizen and retired farmer now living in the village of Keswick, Iowa.
He was born in Amsterdam, Holland, on the 30th of November, 1822, and was reared and educated in his native land, attending school until sixteen years of age and acquiring a good knowledge of the con- mon branches of learning. He then clerked in a store for two years, and at the end of that time entered the army, in which he served for four years. On leaving the service he resumed clerking and was thus employed for five years. In the meantime he was married, the lady of his choice being Duty Deline, by whom he had five children, four sons and one daughter, namely : John, Emily, Jacob C., William and George WV. The mother of these children died in 1860, and for his second wife Mr. Axmear married in 1861 Julia Ann Martin, a native of Bavaria, Germany, and by this union he has one daughter, Malissa, wife of T. A. Morgan, of Webster, Iowa.
It was in 1850 that Mr. Axmear emigrated to the new world and 7
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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
took up his residence in Baltimore, Maryland, but after a short time spent in that city he removed to Cumberland, the same state. In the employ of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad he was later sent to Virginia, where he held the position of boss of a gang of seventy-five Irish laborers, who were employed in laying the first track at Oakland, Mary- land. For thirteen years he remained in the service of that company. during which time he had charge of the workmen laying the track from Oakland, Maryland, to Wheeling, West Virginia.
Seeking a home in the west, Mr. Axmear came to Keokuk county, Towa, in 1863. and bought a farm of one hundred and four acres of land in Adams township, which he at once began to improve and cultivate. Meeting with success as an agriculturist, he has added to his property from time to time as his financial resources have increased, until to-day he and his sons together own about two thousand acres of valuable land, most of which is in Adams township, this county, though three hundred and twenty acres are in Minnesota. Mr. Axmear continued his farm- ing operations until 1890, when he removed to Keswick and retired from active labor. His property in town consists of thirteen acres, it being one of the finest places in Keokuk county, as the grounds are laid off into a beautiful lawn, which show the skill of an expert landscape gardener. Here, surrounded by all the comforts which make life worth the living, Mr. Axmear expects to spend his remaining days, enjoying a well-earned rest. He deserves to be classed among the purely self- made men who owe their advancement entirely to their own well-directed efforts. Industry, enterprise and good management have been the means whereby he has achieved his success, and his course in life has ever been such as to win for him the confidence and high regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact. In his political affiliations Mr.
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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
Axmear is a stanch Republican, who has ever taken a commendable in- terest in the affairs of his adopted country.
JOHN AXMEAR, JR.
This well-known and prominent agriculturist, residing on section 3, Adams township, has shown in his successful career that he has the ability to plan wisely and execute with energy, a combination which, when possessed by men in any walk of life, never fails to effect notable results, and Mr. Axmear is to-day one of the most prosperous citizens of his community. He was born in Cumberland, Maryland, October 3, 1850, and is the oldest son of John Axmear, Sr., whose sketch appears above. During his boyhood the family made their home in West Vir- ginia and in the subscription schools of that state he acquired his primary education. He was twelve years of age on the removal to Iowa, and lie was later a student in the district schools of Adams township, this county, and the high school of Sigourney. When out of school he assisted his father in the operation of the home farm.
In 1882 Mr. Axmear was united in marriage to Miss Cordelia Wyant, who was born and reared in White Pigeon, this county, and they have become the parents of five children who are still living, namely : Jennie, Etta, Katie, Clara and John. There was also one child that died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Axmear began their domestic life upon the farm in Adams township, where they still reside. In connection with his farming operations, our subject engaged in teaching school for twenty-two terms, two of these being in the village school of South English, and the remainder in the district schools of this county. He taught his last school in the winter of 1882-3. During his vacations
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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
and out of school hours he engaged in feeding cattle, chopping wood and working at various occupations whereby he might increase his income. Since 1882, however, he has given his undivided attention to general farming and stock raising and has met with most gratifying success in his labors. He is to-day the owner of a very valuable and highly productive farm of six hundred and sixty-nine acres, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation, transforming it into a model farm with the best of improvements. In 1893 he erected an elegant ten- room house and the other buildings upon the place are in keeping there- with. In addition to the raising of crops best adapted to the soil and climate, he gives considerable attention to the raising of stock, making a specialty of polled Angus or Aberdeen cattle, having a fine herd of about one hundred and twenty-five. Mr. Axmear is also a stockholder, director and president of the Farmers' Savings Bank of North Englishi, which was organized October 1, 1897, and has a capital stock of ten thou- sand dollars. He was one of its organizers, and it owes its success largely to his capable management and good business ability.
In his political affiliations Mr. Axmear is a stanch Republican, and he has taken quite an active part in local affairs, serving as assessor of Adams township and president and secretary of the school board. Fra- ternally he is an honored member of the Masonic lodge at Sigourney. In business affairs he is prompt, energetic and notably reliable and generally carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.
J. C. AXMEAR.
J. C. Axmear, one of the representative citizens and successful farmers and stock raisers of Adams township, whose home is on section
GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
1, first opened his eyes to the light of day in Preston county, West Vir- ginia, September 6, 1854. He is the second son of John Axmear. Sr .. whose sketch appears above. From the age of nine years our subject has made his home in this county, and is indebted to its public school system for his early educational privileges. Under the able direction of his father he acquired an excellent knowledge of all the duties which fall to the lot of the agriculturist, and he continued to assist in the operation of the home farm until his marriage.
That important event in his life occurred December 4, 1879. Miss Rosa Brakel becoming his wife. She is a native of Jolinson county. Iowa, and was there reared and educated. Seven sons bless this union, who in order of birth are as follows: Arthur, who is a graduate of the Keswick high school and now has charge of his father's farm in Wilkin county, Minnesota ; William, who is also a graduate of the Kes- wick high school and is now at home; Fred and George, twins : Sidney. Bruce and Cecil, all at home.
Since leaving the parental roof Mr. Axmear has always resided upon his present farm on section I, Adams township,and in its operation he has met with excellent success. He has erected thereon a good resi- dence, barns and other outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock. and to-day he has one of the best improved farms of the locality. It com- prises four hundred and thirty-nine acres, and besides this valuable tract Mr. Axmear owns a half-section of land in Wilkin county, Minnesota. and business property in North English, Iowa. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers' Savings Bank of that place and is recognized as one of the leading business men of his community. He is actively interested in raising, feeding and shipping stock and at the present writing. in 1902, has a herd of one hundred and thirty cattle upon his place. This
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