USA > Iowa > Cedar County > A topical history of Cedar County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 13
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Mr. Bass was a republican in politics, ever being a stanch supporter of the party which was the defense of the Union during the dark days of the Civil war. His business record was always such as won for him respect and regard as well as success, and all who knew him entertained for him warm esteem, for his salient qualities were those of honorable, upright manhood. He was called to his final rest when in the seventy-eighth year of his age and in his passing Cedar county lost one of its widely known and representative citizens.
Miss Abbie L. Bass gave her hand in marriage to Marion M. Blazer, a son of George W. and Catherine (Scarlet) Blazer, who came to this county from
GILMAN A.BASS
MRS. GILMAN A. BASS
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Ohio in the '6os. Marion M. Blazer obtained his early education in the district schools here and afterward pursued the fine arts course in the Valparaiso Normal School. He taught school during one winter term and then turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits, being engaged in farming for six years. On the expiration of that period he became identified with the real-estate and loan, business, continuing in that field of activity until his demise, which occurred on the 2d of January, 1907. Unto him and his wife were born four children, namely : Edith M .; Silas G .; Inez M .; and Ira F., who died in infancy. Mr. Blazer gave his political allegiance to the republican party, believing firmly in its principles. His widow still survives and makes her home in Bennett, where she has an extensive circle of warm friends.
WILLIAM PENNINGROTH.
One of the best known and progressive agriculturists of Red Oak township is William Penningroth, the proprietor of the Grand View Stock Farm. His entire life has been passed in Cedar county, for he was born in Springfield town- ship, December 1, 1860, and is a son of Charles and Lezetta (Hempke) Pen- ningroth. His parents were natives of Westphalia, Germany, where they were reared and married, and on their emigration to America landed at New Orleans, whence they proceeded up the Mississippi river to Illinois, first locating near Red Bud, that state, where they spent eleven years. It was in 1856 that they took up their abode in Cedar county, Iowa, and here they spent the remainder of their lives, the father devoting his attention to farming. Being industrious, energetic and economical, he prospered in business affairs and became the owner of three well improved farms near Lowden, each comprising a quarter section of land, and besides this property he had ten acres of timber land on the Wapsie river. His useful and well spent life was ended in 1890, when he was seventy- two years of age, having survived his wife for some years, as she died in 1876, at the age of fifty-six years. Their children were: Louise, the wife of Philip Schneider, of Massillon township; Fred; Charles, who died in 1908; Henry, a resident of O'Brien county, Iowa; William, of this review; and Annie, the wife of Henry Meyer, of O'Brien county, Iowa.
During his boyhood and youth William Penningroth assisted his father in the work of the farm and while thus engaged acquired an excellent knowledge of agricultural pursuits, which has well fitted him for the practical duties of life, as he chose farming for the occupation to which he wished to devote his time and attention. He started out for himself in 1884 upon his present farm, buying one hundred and sixty acres of it at that time and later one hundred and sixty acres more, so that he now has a valuable farm of three hundred and twenty, acres on section 12, Red Oak township. To this he has given the name of the Grand View Stock Farm, as he was an extensive breeder of shorthorn cattle for nine years. In 1909, however, he retired from that business, but is still feeding a large amount of stock annually, having about eighty-five head of cattle upon his place and one hundred hogs. Upon his home farm he erected a fine eleven-
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room residence in 1906 and has built all of the other necessary structures for the shelter of grain and stock. In fact, his is one of the best improved places of the locality. Besides this farm he owns one hundred and sixty acres in Mitchell county, Iowa, which he purchased in 1909.
On the 22d of February, 1884, Mr. Penningroth was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Mensendick, a daughter of Gottlieb and Louise Mensendick, both natives of Germany. She, however, was born in Hancock county, Illinois, April 13, 1868, and continued to reside there until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Pen- ningroth now have a family of nine children, namely: Charles, who was a stu- dent in the Iowa City State University until he enlisted in the regular army, being now third lieutenant of his company, stationed in the Philippine Islands ; Martha, who pursued a course at the State Normal in Cedar Falls and is now at home with her parents; Louis, a graduate of the Tipton high school and now a student at the State University, being president of the freshman class; Walter S. and Edward M., both attending the high school of Tipton; and Benjamin, Bertha, Paul and Harold, all at home. Walter is making the four years' course in the high school in three years, as did also Louis.
Mr. Penningroth is a stanch supporter of the republican party and has taken quite an active and influential part in local affairs, serving as treasurer of the township school board and as road commissioner. The success that he has achieved in life is due entirely to his own unaided efforts, because he had but few opportunities in his youth and by perseverance and industry has worked his way upward until he is now one of the well-to-do and substantial citizens of his com- munity. He has not only prospered but has also gained the good will and con- fidence of those with whom he has been brought in contact.
HARRY R. McNAMARA.
Tipton has been signally favored in the class of men who have occupied her public offices, for they have usually been citizens of known loyalty to the public welfare, putting forth earnest and effective effort for the best good. In keeping with this record is the service of Harry R. McNamara in the position of post- master. He has carefully systematized the affairs of the office and his prompt- ness and fidelity in the execution of every duty have made his a creditable record in this connection.
He is one of the native sons of Tipton, born June II, 1868, and has always made his home here. His parents were William P. and Anna M. (Reigart) McNamara, the former a native of Pennsylvania, where he was reared. He came to Iowa about 1857 and was engaged in the drug business in Tipton, si -- taining a severe loss in the great fire of 1869. He was married in 1859 to Anna M. Reigart, who is now living with her son Harry. Mr. McNamara passed away in 1890, at the age of fifty-nine years, his birth having occurred in Franks- town, Pennsylvania, November 30, 1829. In their family were five children: Mertie, the wife of J. W. Dean, of Tipton ; Mamie, the wife of C. O. Boling. of
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Tipton ; Harry R., of this review ; Sue, who is living in Des Moines ; and William S., of Colorado.
Harry R. McNamara, spending his youthful days in his parents' home, entered the public schools at the usual age and therein continued his studies until he had completed the work of the junior year in the high school. He was then obliged to put aside his text-books and began clerking in a grocery store. He has been connected with the postoffice altogether for about twenty years, first accepting a clerical position over a quarter of a century ago. He remained in the office for eight years, after which he spent the succeeding five years in vari- ous pursuits, being a part of that time paymaster at Tipton. He then returned to the postoffice as assistant postmaster to H. L. Brotherlin, and on the 10th of January, 1906, was appointed postmaster, in which position he is now capably and efficiently serving. He has been a lifelong republican and his interest in the party and his efforts in its behalf well deserve recognition.
FRANCIS WALKER.
Francis Walker, whose demise occurred at Bennett on the 13th of August, 1900, spent the last decade of his life in honorable retirement, enjoying the com- petence which he had won through the careful conduct of his agricultural inter- ests in former years. He was born in the state of New York on the 4th of December, 1819. His father, Rosswell Walker, who followed farming in the Empire state throughout his active business career, passed away in Pennsylvania when ninety-six years of age. The mother died in New York when our subject was still a young boy.
At the usual age Francis Walker began his education. in the district schools of his native state and after putting aside his text-books secured employment as. a farm hand. Subsequently he purchased fifty acres of land in Chautauqua county, New York, devoting his attention to its cultivation until 1856, when he came direct to Cedar county, Iowa. Here he first rented land for a period of eight years and then bought a tract of eighty acres. Later he purchased a quar- ter section of land adjoining, so that his farm embraced two hundred and forty acres. The further cultivation and improvement of that property claimed his time and energies until 1890, when he put aside the active work of the fields and took up his abode in Bennett, there spending the remainder of his life in honor- able retirement.
In 1851, in the state of New York, Mr. Walker was united in marriage to Miss Selina Yaw, whose birth occurred on the 4th of March, 1833, her parents being John and Betsy (Stark) Yaw. Their home was blessed with six children, four sons and two daughters, namely: Edwin, who is now deceased ; Amanda ; Rufus ; Horace ; Eva ; and Ernest.
Mr. Walker supported the republican party until within a few years of his death, when a change in his political views caused him to become an advocate of the democracy. Though always a most public-spirited and loyal citizen, he never sought nor desired office. He had gained an extensive circle of
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warm friends during the long period of his residence here and his death was therefore the occasion of deep and widespread regret. His widow still sur- vives and yet makes her home in Bennett. She is a Methodist in religious faith and exemplifies the teachings of that church in her daily life. Though now in the seventy-eighth year of her age, her faculties are largely unimpaired and she is still very bright and active. The period of her residence in Cedar county covers fifty-four years and she enjoys a wide and favorable acquaintance within its borders.
CHARLES LAUBSCHER.
A life of well directed effort, of industry and perseverance, crowned with suc- cess that now enables him to live retired in the enjoyment of well earned rest, is the record of Charles Laubscher, who was born near Buchanan, Cass township, Cedar county, on the 26th of February, 1852. His parents, John and Philipine (Stork) Laubscher, both natives of Bavaria, Germany, came to the United States about the year 1831. They were married in Ohio and there made their home for thirteen years, at the expiration of which period they came to Iowa, taking up their abode in Cedar county where Buchanan now stands and where their remaining days were spent. The father was a farmer by occupation, following that pursuit until his death, which occurred in Cedar county. His wife also passed away in this county. In their family were six children, of whom the sub- ject of this review was the fifth in order of birth. The others were: John, de- ceased, who left a widow and one child; Susan, the wife of David Diltz, a resi- dent of Parkman, Wyoming; A. C., of Tipton, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume; Anna H., who died in February, 1910; and Ella A., who became the wife of John Burroughs, of Cedar Rapids.
In the schools of Cedar county Charles Laubscher acquired his education, and in his parents' home spent the period of his boyhood and youth. Reared to farm life, he early became familiar with all the tasks that fall to the lot of the country lad, and in the fields under the direction of his father he learned many practical lessons which prepared him for those duties which devolved upon him when, later, he took up farming on his own account. On attaining his majority he began his independent business career as a farmer and for many years was actively identified with agricultural pursuits, becoming the owner of a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on sections 1 and 2, Cass township, and also one hundred and eighteen acres of pasture land on section 7. Energetic, industrious and progressive, he successfully carried on his farming interests until the com- petency which he acquired enabled him to retire from active labor, when he left the farm and removed to Buchanan, where he is now living, enjoying the com- forts of well earned rest without further recourse to labor. He has given the management of his farm property over to his sons but still retains his position as administrator of an estate of eighty-seven acres, to which office he was ap- pointed some years ago. He is the owner of the attractive and comfortable resi- dence in which he now makes his home in Buchanan and also owns several lots
MR. AND MRS. CHARLES LAUBSCHER
:
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in the town, his real-estate holdings being the visible expression of his thrift, industry and business foresight.
It was on the 7th of November, 1878, that Mr. Laubscher was united in mar- riage to Miss Forrestine Dodds, who was born in Athens county, Ohio, July 5, 1857, and came to Cedar county with her parents, Dr. and Mrs. W. C. Dodds, who now reside in Tipton and who are mentioned at length on another page of this volume. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Laubscher are two sons, Frank R. and John P., who are now operating the home farm. The latter married Miss Pearl Edwards and they have two daughters, Eloise and Marjorie.
In politics Mr. Laubscher gives stalwart support to the democratic party, and his fellow citizens, recognizing his ability and worth, have at different times called him to public office. He was elected to the office of township trustee, served on the grand jury and also acted as school director, the cause of education finding in him a stanch champion. He retains a deep interest in the political questions and current events of the day and, being pre-eminently public-spirited in his citizenship, lends his influence at all times to those measures which have for their object the substantial improvement and permanent upbuilding of the community. Having passed his entire life in the vicinity of Buchanan he is well known throughout that locality, where his sterling traits of character have won him a circle of friends which is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaint- ances. He and his wife attend the Union church at Buchanan.
EDMUND ELIJAH.
Edmund Elijah is now practically living retired in Clarence. Cedar county embraces some of the finest farm land in this state and Mr. Elijah is fortunate in possessing a goodly share of this valuable property, for in addition to the old homestead in Dayton township he owns other well improved farms. Since 1863 he has lived in this locality, arriving here when a youth of fourteen years.
His birth occurred in Delaware county, New York, April 19, 1849. His father, Edmund Elijah, Sr., was reared and married in Delaware county, the lady of his choice being Miss Jane Samuels, who was also born and reared in New York. He was a wheelwright by trade and operated a gristmill, while his sons carried on the home farm. He always continued a resident of the Empire state, dying there in 1856. His widow survived him and removed to Illinois in 1857 with her family and to Iowa in the spring of 1863. Here she continued to reside throughout her remaining days, passing away in May, 1907.
Edmund Elijah, Jr., spent the entire period of his minority in his mother's home, remaining with her until twenty-one years of age. He then purchased a farm, upon which a house had been built, and for three seasons thereafter he boarded with his tenants. At length he made arrangements for having a home of his own by his marriage in Cedar county, on the Ist of March, 1874, to Miss. Mary Kent, a native of this county, born near Clarence. Her father was ex- Senator J. M. Kent, one of the early settlers who arrived in 1852 and afterward became well known as a prosperous farmer and representative citizen. He
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served for two terms in the state senate and was active in support of much valu- able legislation. He was married in Ohio to Miss Mary Ferguson, a native of Ohio, and his death occurred in 1896, while his wife passed away in 1888.
Mr. and Mrs. Elijah began their domestic life on a farm in Massillon town- ship and the following year removed to Dayton township, where he devoted his energies to the cultivation of his fields, commencing with one hundred and twenty acres of land. Later he purchased two hundred acres and afterward added another tract of forty acres and for twenty-nine years carried on farming on that place, during which period he erected good buildings. He then rented the place and bought fifteen acres where he now resides, within the corporate limits of Clarence, and eighty acres outside the village limits. On this property he erected a large neat residence. In 1900 he purchased one hundred and twenty acres in Dayton township, so that altogether he now owns four hundred and fifty-five acres of farm land and ten acres of timber land in Cedar county. He has improved three different farms and his is a notable record of a self-made man, for he started out in life empty-handed. His labor and industry have con- stituted the basis of his success, and his wife has always proved to him an able assistant through her careful and economical management of household affairs.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Elijah have been born six children who are yet living : Arthur, who is married and now resides in Montana ; Earl, a graduate of Cornell College of Iowa of the class of 1909 and now professor of science in Madelia, Minnesota; Mae, a graduate of the Clarence high school; Nellie and Ella, at home; and Anna, a student in the Cornell Conservatory and also well known as a teacher of music. They also lost a son, Allen, who died August 22, 1903, after attaining his majority.
Mr. Elijah was formerly a republican in his political views but for a long period has voted the prohibition ticket, being a stanch advocate of the cause of temperance. He is a member of the Wesleyan Methodist church, to which his wife also belongs, and their conformity to its teachings has commended them to the confidence and high respect of all with whom they have come in contact. Mr. Elijah has taken an active part in the development and upbuilding of the county, for during the forty-seven years of his residence here he has helped to improve four different farms, his labors being not only a source of individual profit but also of general prosperity.
WILLIAM W. LITTLE.
Through the steps of orderly progression William W. Little has made con- tinuous advancement in the business world until he now occupies the honorable and honored position of president of the Farmers & Merchants Savings Bank of Tipton. Widely known in this locality, his history cannot fail to prove of interest to many readers of this volume and, moreover, it indicates clearly what may be accomplished when determination, adaptability and unfaltering industry are the strong characteristics of the individual.
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Mr. Little was born upon a farm in the vicinity of Princeton, Bureau county, Illinois, January 27, 1865, and was but four years of age when, in the spring of 1869, he was brought to Cedar county by his parents, Frank F. and Katherine (Creps) Little, who were natives of Bedford county, Pennsylvania, where they were reared and married. Soon after their marriage they removed to Illinois and in 1869 came to Cedar county, where for a long period Mr. Little was iden- tified with general farming but has retired from active life and both he and his wife are living in Tipton. He has ever manifested a helpful support in relation to public affairs and has borne his part in the work of general improvement and advancement. He has ever been a wide reader, keeping thoroughly informed on the leading questions and issues of the day, and is recognized in this county as a high type of American manhood and chivalry. Unto him and his wife were born seven children: Laura, the wife of J. W. Gray, of West Branch, Iowa ; Edward E., of Tipton; Mrs. Anna Boone; William W .; Elmer, living in Clarks- ton, Washington ; Charles A., of Red Oak township; and Mrs. Bertha Pearson, whose home is in the vicinity of West Branch in Springdale township.
There were no railroads in this part of the country when the Little family ar- rived, completing the journey by hack. The father secured a tract of land in Red Oak township and upon the old homestead farm William W. Little was reared, there remaining until he had attained his majority. He acquired his early education in the country schools and afterward attended the Tipton high . school. He has resided in Tipton continuously since 1890 and, entering mer- cantile circles, was first engaged in the furniture and undertaking business, which he conducted under his own name until 1896. He then sold out and was elected deputy clerk of the district court, in which capacity he served for six years. He was next elected clerk of the district court and filled the position for two terms or for four years. On the expiration of that period he purchased the Northwest- ern elevator and engaged in the grain and seed business, in which connection he has built up an extensive trade that he yet enjoys. He now owns the elevator and in July, 1909, purchased a feed mill, which he operates in connection with his grain trade. About that time he admitted A. Duncan to a partnership in the business and he has had the active management of the elevator and feed mill, which are conducted under the firm style of Little & Duncan. They buy and ship grain and all kinds of field seeds, and the business is now one of large propor- tions, their annual sales netting for them a very substantial income. Mr. Little was also one of the original stockholders and directors of the Farmers & Mer- chants Savings Bank of Tipton, which was organized in 1905. In January, 1909. he was made president of the bank, which position he yet fills. The greater part of his time and attention are given to its management and a general banking business is conducted along safe and conservative lines, while progress also con- stitutes a feature in the management of the undertaking.
On the 4th of March, 1891, Mr. Little was married to Miss Louise Williams, who was born in Red Oak township, June 21, 1865, and is a daughter of Elias and Jane (Sleater) Little, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Ire- land. They became early settlers of Red Oak township but both are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Little have had one child, Cecil Edward, who was born January 9, 1892, and died March 23, 1907.
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In his political views Mr. Little has been a lifelong republican, taking an active part in public affairs and serving as chairman of the county central com- mittee for several years. He is now filling a position on the board of education for the sixth consecutive year and the cause of education finds in him a stalwart and effective champion. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church and is chairman of its board of trustees. He likewise belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, his membership being in Manitou Lodge, No. 8, of Tipton, of which he is a past grand. He may well be called a self-made man for his parents were in limited financial circumstances when they came here and he received no financial assistance when he started out in life for himself. He has held to high ideals, however, has worked persistently to accomplish the task to which he has set himself and is recognized as an energetic, industrious and persevering busi- ness man who has won a creditable position in commercial and financial circles of Cedar county.
JOHN BANNICK.
Of the men who have played an important part in the development of Cedar county none have contributed a greater share of their time and labor to its advancement than John Bannick, now living a retired life in Bennett. For forty years he has been a resident of the county and has aided in the agricultural de- velopment as well as the financial and business portion. He is also well worthy of the esteem accorded him as one of the progressive men of the county.
Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, was the place where John Bannick first saw the light of day, the date of his birth being April 10, 1851. He is a son of Claus and Ida (Schroeder) Bannick, of Germany, both now deceased, each having passed away at the advanced age of eighty-four years. The father was a farmer of Schleswig-Holstein. John Bannick was one of a family of ten children, four sons and six daughters, of whom three of the latter are now deceased. But three of the children came to this country, namely: George, now living retired at Wilton, Iowa; Mathias, living in Clark county, South Dakota; and John, the immediate subject of this review. All the other children of the Bannick family make their home in Germany.
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