USA > Iowa > Cedar County > A topical history of Cedar County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 26
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Born in Holmes county, Ohio, his natal day was September 4, 1866. His parents were James and Harriett (Korns) Claney. The father was a native of Holmes county, Ohio, born in 1831, and his youthful experiences were those that fell to the lot of farm lads during pioneer days in that state. When he had reached adult age he sought a companion and helpmate for life's journey and married Miss Korns, who was also born and reared in Holmes county, Ohio. For some years thereafter he devoted his time and energies to farming in the Buckeye state and during that period five children were born unto him and his wife. In 1869, however, he came to Iowa, establishing his home in Cedar county, where he rented land which he cultivated for a few years. He then bought eighty acres of the present farm and at once began to till the fields. Ambitious to own a larger tract, however, he soon invested in one hundred and ten acres, constituting one of the best farms in that locality. Upon this place are good buildings and all the accessories and equipment of a modern farm. The addition which he made to the house has converted it into a comfortable modern resi-
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JAMES CLANEY
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY
dence. He also built barns, sheds and cribs, set out an orchard and fenced the entire place. He continued to develop and improve the property until his death, which occurred March 5, 1910, when he had reached the age of seventy-nine years. He had long survived his wife, who died in the fall of 1869. They had two sons, the brother of our subject being Frank Claney, now a resident of Cedar Rapids. The daughters of the household are: Ella, who is acting as house- keeper for her brother, J. R. Claney, and owns a part of the farm; and Orpha, the wife of A. W. Berryhill, of Gresham, Nebraska.
J. R. Claney spent his youthful days on the home farm, was educated in the schools near by and remained with his father until the latter's death. He and his sister Ella afterward purchased the interest of the other heirs to the prop- erty and now own the place. J. R. Claney took charge of and carried on the farm for ten years prior to his father's death, and its excellent condition is largely due to his efforts. He has made the needed repairs, has fenced the land, has built a machine house and remodeled the barn. He not only raises grain but also high grade stock and fattens and feeds about one hundred and fifty head of hogs each year for the market. He also feeds some cattle and is recognized as a man of good business ability and keen discernment, meeting with success in what he undertakes.
In his political views Mr. Claney is a democrat and his sister is a member of St. John's church. For forty-one years he has been a resident of this county and has well established himself in an enviable position among the representative agriculturists and valued citizens of this part of the state.
ISAAC B. JOHNSON.
During the pioneer epoch in the history of Cedar county Isaac B. Johnson took up his abode here, arriving in 1857, after a year's residence in Scott county, Iowa. The pioneers are fast passing away. The courageous men and women who marked out the paths and established homes where previously the red race had its hunting ground-these men and women are entitled to all the honors that have been awarded them and the record of their achievements will in the years to come be an inspiration to youth and a constant incentive to mature age. Among the early settlers of Cedar county Isaac B. Johnson is numbered and is today one of its valuable citizens, being now in the eighty-second year of his age. He was born in Andover, Massachusetts, December 27, 1828, and was reared upon a farm in that locality. A comparison of the relative advantages of the east and the west led him to the determination of trying his fortune be- yond the Mississippi, and, making his way to Iowa in 1856, he settled in Scott county. The following year he came to Cedar county and his first purchase of land made him the owner of forty acres near Mechanicsville. This he cleared and improved, developing a farm to which he added from time to time as his financial resources permitted of further purchase.
That he might have a helpmate for the journey of life and a companion in his new home he was married in the spring of 1857 to Miss Frances Elizabeth
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
Shattuck, a native of New Hampshire, who was reared in the old Granite state and in Troy, New York. Her father, Franklin Shattuck, was a native of Massachusetts and represented one of the old families of that state. Following his marriage Mr. Johnson located in Mechanicsville, where he engaged in the ice business, and later entered the service of the Northwestern Railroad Company, settling taxes for the company for many years. He also carried on agricultural pursuits and conducted the ice business and found in these various fields of ac- tivity a source of profit that in due time won him place among the men of af- fluence in the community.
In March, 1906, Mr. Johnson was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife. There were six children of that marriage, but four died in childhood, those still living being C. W., who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume; and Ira Clif- ford, who is married and resides in Mechanicsville, occupying a part of the Johnson residence. He is employed by the Northwestern Railroad Company, engaging in bridge building and other work. He has one son, Clifford Francis. Mr. and Mrs. Isaac B. Johnson also reared and educated an adopted daughter, Clara M. Hyde, who is a nice of Mrs. Johnson and is now acting as house- keeper for her uncle.
In his political views Mr. Johnson has been a strong republican since the or- ganization of the party. He served on the school board here for a number of years and also was a member of the town council. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is one of the trustees, and he is a patriarch of the Masonic fraternity of Mechanicsville, being the last survivor of the charter mem- bers of the lodge at this place. He had previously joined the organization in Massachusetts and after coming to the west he served as lodge treasurer in Mechanicsville for a number of years. For fifty-three years he has lived in Cedar county and its progress and upbuilding are to him matters of history, while with many movements that have been of essential value in the upbuilding of the district he has been closely, influentially and helpfully identified. His life work on the whole has been a beneficial element in the community, and he justly merits the veneration, respect and honor which are accorded him in the evening of life.
JOHN WILLER.
John Willer, a well known and highly esteemed citizen of Tipton, was born near Pomeroy in Meigs county, Ohio, on the 10th of July, 1861, and comes of good old German stock. His father, George Willer, was a native of Bavaria, born in Frankenthal, the city of Edigheim, Germany, February 23, 1827. The latter's parents were Michael and Mary (Kaiser) Willer, who brought their family to America in 1839 and settled near Pomeroy, Ohio. Their children were : George, the father of our subject, Katharine, Mary, Wendell, Peter, John and Minnie. All now are deceased with the exception of John, who resides in Moville, Iowa, and Mrs. Mary Sauvage, a resident of Colorado.
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
George Willer was twelve years of age when he accompanied his parents on their emigration to America and in the Buckeye state he grew to manhood, making his home there until his removal to Cedar county, Iowa, in 1865. Here he located on a farm south of Tipton and throughout the remainder of his active business life devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits. In early life he was employed as a laborer for several years and for four years worked in a rolling mill, but the greater part of his time was given to farming. He prospered in his undertakings and on his retirement from active labor was the owner of four hundred and eighty-five acres of well improved land in this county.
Before leaving Ohio, George Willer was married on the 3d of January, 1852, to Miss Julia Thress, who was born in Manndel, city of Kreutznacht, Prussia, Germany, June 21, 1826, her parents being Jacob and Katharine (Thress) Thress. She was one of a family of five children, the others being: John, who lives near Cincinnati, Ohio; Mrs. Margaret Ohlinger, of Pomeroy, Ohio; Philip, deceased; and Mrs. Katharine Rider, also deceased. It was in 1849 that the Thress family came to the new world, settling in Ohio, and the parents remained residents of that state until their death, their home being near Pomeroy. Unto Mr. and Mrs. George Willer were born the following children: Mary, the wife of Jacob Marquart of Lawton, Woodbury county, Iowa; Julia, who is with her mother in Tipton; Wendell, of Center township, this county; John, whose name introduces this review; Minnie, the wife of Jacob Pfarr, of Center township; Peter, whose home is near Tipton, in Center township; Emma, who died Sep- tember 27, 1876, at the age of eight years, five months and twenty-seven days; and four who died in infancy. The mother of these children is still living and now resides in Tipton, but the father died in that city, December 24, 1897. His parents also passed away in this county.
John Willer was but four years of age on the removal of the family to Cedar county, Iowa, and on the home farm two miles southwest of Tipton he grew to manhood, receiving a good, practical education in the country schools of the neigh- borhood and acquiring an excellent knowledge of farm work while assisting his father in the operation of the home place. He remained under the parental roof until his marriage and then removed to his present farm three miles south of Tipton. His father owned a quarter section of land and in partnership with his brothers, Wendell and Peter, he purchased one hundred acres adjoining, and together they operated both places for some time. Later they bought a two hundred and forty acre tract east of town and continued in partnership for some time but finally divided the property and our subject today owns four hundred and seventeen acres of very productive and well improved land three miles south of Tipton. He continued to reside upon his farm until March, 1908, when he removed to Tipton, having previously erected a fine residence in that city. He is still interested in farming, however, operating his land in partnership with another gentleman, and together they are engaged in the breeding of thor- oughbred Angus cattle. They raise a fine grade of stock and have won many premiums at the home fair.
It was on the 21st of February, 1889, that Mr. Willer was united in mar- riage to Miss Carrie B. Bossert, who was born in Tipton, November 7, 1866, a daughter of Benjamin and Louisa (Kaiser) Bossert of Tipton. They now have
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but one child, Eva May, who was born in Center township, June 3, 1891. The parents are both earnest members of the Reformed church of Tipton and al- though their residence in the city has been of short duration, they have already made many friends here and have an extensive circle of friends and acquaint- ances throughout the county. Upright and honorable in all his dealings with his fellowmen, Mr. Willer has won their confidence and truly deserves mention among the representative and prominent citizens of this county.
WILLIAM E. ROBINSON.
Success has attended William E. Robinson in his conduct of general farm- ing and stock-raising interests in Dayton township. He now owns as well as occu- pies the old Robinson homestead, comprising one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 36. Moreover, he is numbered among the early settlers of the county, dating his residence here from 1856. He was but two years of age at the time of his arrival, his birth having occurred in the city of La Salle, Illinois, January 9, 1854.
His father, William T. Robinson, was a native of England, born in 1819, and was there reared to the age of fourteen years, when his father, John Rob- inson, came to the new world with his family in 1833, settling first in Canada. William T. Robinson was reared in the Dominion and was there married to Miss Anna Ernest, a native of New York, whose girlhood days were spent in Utica in the home of her father, William Ernest, a well known resident of Utica for many years and later one of the early settlers of Cedar county, Iowa. On coming to this state he took up his abode at West Liberty, where he spent his last days.
William T. Robinson removed from Canada to La Salle county, Illinois, where he worked at the wheelwright's trade, which he had previously learned. In 1856 he came to Iowa and established his home at West Liberty, turning his attention to farming. Later he entered from the government the tract of one hundred and sixty acres upon which his son now resides. It was wild and un- improved and with characteristic energy he began its development, breaking the sod and planting the fields. His first home was a small house, which he occupied for about twenty years, when his success enabled him to erect a much more commodious and substantial residence. He also built a good barn and out- buildings, set out a grove and fenced his land. The changes which he made converted it into an attractive place, upon which he reared his family. His re- maining days were spent upon the farm, where his death occurred June 28, 1902, his wife surviving him until 1907, when she too passed away.
William E. Robinson spent his youthful days upon the old homestead and alternated his attendance at the common schools with the work upon the home farm through the periods of vacation. After putting aside his text-books his entire attention was given to farm work mostly upon the old homestead, al- though for a time he worked by the month as a farm hand. He remained with his father until twenty-seven years of age and then started out independently.
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
It was at that time that Mr. Robinson was married in Fairfield township, on the 20th of October, 1881, to Miss Mary J. Winter, who was born and reared in Maryland, a daughter of G. K. Winter, who removed from that state to Cedar county, Iowa. Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Robinson located on the farm in Fairfield township, where he carried on general agricultural pur- suits for a quarter of a century, cultivating a tract of eighty acres, on which he erected good buildings and made modern improvements. At length he sold out there and in 1908 purchased the interests of the other heirs in the old home- stead, whereon he has since resided. In connection with the tilling of the soil he has raised and fed stock and annually sells a large number of cattle and hogs, fattened on grass. He keeps his stock in excellent condition and his capable management of his business affairs has made him one of the substan- tial residents of the community.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Robinson have been born three children: Sadie E., now - the wife of Charles Schilling, a farmer of Fairfield; Susie, the wife of William Schilling, a resident farmer of this county, by whom she has one child, Marvin ; and Arthur, who assists in carrying on the home farm.
Mr. Robinson is a republican in his political views but at local elections, where no issue is involved, votes independently. The period of his residence in Cedar county covers fifty-four years and he has, therefore, witnessed almost the entire growth and development of this part of the state. He can remember when its lands were largely uncultivated, the initial work of the pioneer having just been begun; when the homes of the settlers were small and unpretentious; and when the mercantile interests of the town simply met the necessities of daily living without an attempt to introduce the comforts and luxuries known to the older east. As time has passed on, however, all this has changed, for the wild prairie has been converted into productive fields, the pioneer homes have been replaced by beautiful modern residences and villages have been converted into cities. Mr. Robinson rejoices in what has been accomplished and feels great pride in the work that has been done in Cedar county. At all times he stands for progress and improvement and is known as one of the public-spirited citizens.
FRED PFAFF.
Among the younger generation of farmers of Cedar county who are prov- ing by the results which attend their efforts that their choice of a life work has been a wise one, is numbered Fred Pfaff, well known in this locality as a success- ful young farmer and stock-raiser. His entire life has been spent within the bor- ders of Cedar county, where, in Cass township, his birth occurred on the 18th of July, 1880. He is the only living child of Charles and Clara (Dodds) Pfaff, residents of Tipton.
In the country schools near his home Fred Pfaff acquired a good education, and was not lacking in that practical training which comes from experience, for at an early age he began assisting his father in the work of the home farm and early learned lessons concerning the value of industry, perseverance and integrity.
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
When still young he began farming on his own account and has since devoted his time and attention to agricultural pursuits, in which he has been most suc- cessful. Upon the retirement of his father he took charge of the farm of four hundred and twenty acres. Here he carries on general farming and stock-rais- ing, and in both branches of his business he is meeting with gratifying success, for he is careful and wise in the management of his affairs, earnest in his work and is possessed of that laudable ambition to succeed which is usually the motive power of the energetic and progressive young man of today.
In December, 1904, Mr. Pfaff was united in marriage to Miss Harriett Ken- nedy. a native of Springville, Iowa, where her birth occurred on the 3d of Feb- ruary, 1882, her father being James Kennedy, now deceased. One son, Charles K., has blessed this union, and he is the light and life of the household. Hav- ing spent his entire life in the neighborhood in which he now resides, Mr. Pfaff has become widely known throughout the community, and the fact that many of his best friends are those who have known him from childhood is an indica- tion that his salient characteristics are those which inspire respect, confidence and good will in his fellow citizens.
H. L. SCHNEIDER.
For the past seven years H. L. Schneider has made his home in Tipton, where he is practically living retired, enjoying a well earned rest. He is a native of the neighboring state of Illinois, his birth occurring in Aurora township, Kane county, on the 17th of July, 1836, and is a son of John Peter and Christina (Wohrer) Schneider, both natives of Germany. The father was born near Frankfort and the mother in Baden. They came to the new world in early life and were married in Philadelphia. As early as 1832 they came west to Chicago and soon afterward located in Kane county, Illinois, where they spent the re- mainder of their lives, the father dying there in 1882 at the age of eighty-three years. His children were: J. F., deceased; Elizabeth, who died at the age of fourteen years; H. L., of this review; Mrs. Mary Ann Hughes, a resident of Elburn, Illinois; Charles, also a resident of Elburn; and Mrs. Carrie Angel, of Aurora.
H. L. Schneider was reared and educated in the state of his nativity and re- mained with his parents until twenty-two years of age. For four years prior to that time he served an apprenticeship to the miller's trade and for three years worked in the Oxford Mills in Jones county, Iowa, and for two years in the mill at Plano, Illinois. He continued to follow his trade for about thirteen years, being employed in various places. At the end of that time he turned his atten- tion to agricultural pursuits, operating a farm in Hale township, Jones county, Iowa, for about five years. He also worked as a carpenter and laborer in Iowa for the same length of time and in 1875 came to Tipton, where for five years he conducted the Cedar Mill, having a partner for a time but later being alone in business. At the end of that period he traded the mill for a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Cherokee county, Iowa, which at the end of a year he traded for another farm of two hundred and fifty acres in Center township, Cedar county.
H. L. SCHNEIDER
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
Subsequently he traded the last named property for a section of land in Spink county, South Dakota. For many years he successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits but for the past seven years has practically lived retired in Tipton, where he owns a nice home and three lots. His success in life is due to his industry, good management and excellent business ability.
On the 24th of December, 1869, Mr. Schneider was united in marriage to Miss Emeline E. Reed, who was born in Virginia in 1850 and came to Olin, Iowa, with her parents in 1851, being a daughter of Samuel W. and Susanna Reed. This union has been blessed with the following children : Mrs. Jennie Tay- lor, now a widow residing with our subject; Carrie, the wife of E. R. Chase, of Minnesota ; Martin H., a resident of South Dakota; Howard H., of Center town- ship, Cedar county; Elizabeth and Gladys, both at home; and three who died in infancy.
Mr. Schneider is a consistent and faithful member of the Presbyterian church, while his wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church of Tipton, and he has so lived as to gain the confidence and high regard of those with whom he has been brought in contact either in business or social relations.
SAMUEL A. HANDLEY.
Samuel A. Handley, a progressive and successful agriculturist of Cedar county, has for several years carried on general farming and stock-raising in Inland and Springfield townships. His birth occurred in this county on the 6th of March, 1862, and he is a son of Samuel and Nancy R. (Foster) Handley, the father having been born in Greenbrier county, West Virginia, January 27, 1820, and the mother in Nicholas county, that state, on the 12th of August, 1822. In 1857 the elder Samuel Handley arrived in Cedar county and here purchased a farm of one hundred and fifty acres, to which he later added one hundred and twenty acres, becoming the owner in all of two hundred and seventy acres. He continued to make his home upon that place during the remainder of his life and was engaged in farming until his death, which occurred on the 21st of De- cember, 1893, surviving his wife but five days, as her death occurred December 16, 1893. Their family consisted of nine children but only six are now living : Calvin I., Elizabeth R., Richard G., George W., Samuel A. and Sarah A. The deceased are John F., Mary J. and Hannah C.
Reared on the home farm, Samuel A. Handley acquired his early education in the district schools of Cedar county and later enjoyed the benefit of a year's study at Wilton Academy. He was also a student for a year at the Iowa Agri- cultural College at Ames, Iowa. Upon laying aside his text-books he returned home and during the summer months assisted his father in the work of the farm. The winter seasons, however, were devoted to teaching in the schools of Cedar county, and his time was thus occupied for four terms, during which time he proved himself a most efficient and capable instructor, readily imparting to others the knowledge he had acquired. At the death of his father he pur- chased the interests of the other heirs and when the estate was settled became
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sole owner of the old homestead. He has since devoted his entire time to agri- cultural pursuits and in connection with tilling the soil engages to considerable extent in the raising of stock, making a specialty of Poland China hogs and shorthorn cattle. He studies the best methods of caring for his stock, raises good grades and is thus enabled to demand high prices on the market. He has also added to his property holdings until he is now the owner of three hun- dred and ten acres in Cedar county, one hundred and sixty acres of which lie in Springfield township and one hundred and fifty acres in Inland township. With an aptitude for successful management, he has so directed his affairs that most gratifying results have followed and today he ranks among the progressive agriculturists of Inland township.
On the 29th of November, 1899, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Handley and Miss Martha Standusky, a daughter of Jacob and Antonia (Golden) Stan- dusky, of Jones county, Iowa. Unto this union were born three children, Agnes Victoria, Mabel Eva and Ethel Grace.
The parents hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church at Ben- nett and their many excellent traits of character have won them the regard and esteem of a large circle of friends. In politics Mr. Handley supports the demo- cratic party, to which he has given stalwart allegiance since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and for one term he served as county surveyor. The creditable position which he has attained in agricultural circles in Inland town- ship entitles him to rank among the substantial farmers of this locality, but he is no less worthy of the regard of his fellowmen because of his loyalty to up- right manhood, to high principles and to honorable dealings-qualities which ever speak for good citizenship in any community.
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