USA > Iowa > Cedar County > A topical history of Cedar County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 32
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Daniel Mason is the second of a family of four sons and a daughter, the others being: William, who was reared in Iowa and went to California, where his death occurred; Charles, a resident of Tipton; Frank, who makes his home in California; and Eunice, the wife of Gil Stine, a resident farmer of Cass township.
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Upon the home farm Daniel Mason spent the days of his boyhood and youth and the common schools afforded him his educational privileges. He worked in the fields when not busy with his text-books and on attaining his majority wisely chose as his life work the occupation to which he had been reared. After his marriage he rented the farm of his father-in-law for two years and then located where he now resides. He has since built to and remodeled the house, has put up two barns and has also added sheds and cribs for the shelter of grain and stock. The raising and feeding of stock also constitutes a feature of his farm and the source of a gratifying income. He labors diligently and persistently and his life record is another proof of the fact that success is the result of unfaltering energy intelligently directed.
In 1896 Mr. Mason was married in Linn township to Miss Abbie Shawver, who was born and reared in this county and is a daughter of Milton Shawver, one of the early settlers that Indiana furnished to this part of the state. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Mason have been born five children who are yet living: Venus, Lola, William, Nellie and Mildred. They also lost two children, Ivan, who died at the age of two years and an infant daughter. The parents are members of the Christian church and Mr. Mason in his political faith is a democrat. For forty-seven years he has been a resident of Cedar county and has therefore witnessed much of its growth and the changes which have been wrought. At all times he has stood for progress and improvement in public affairs as well as in private life and his cooperation has therefore been a factor in various meas- ures promulgated for the public good.
FREDERICK J. STAAB.
Frederick J. Staab, one of the progressive young farmers and substantial citizens of Pioneer township, living on section 8, was born in that township, on the 12th of June, 1879, being the son of Christopher Staab, a native of Wurtem- berg, Germany. The father was born in 1826 and in his native land grew to manhood and on coming to the new world first located in Albany, New York, where he spent about nine years. At the end of that time he proceeded to Iowa, and on reaching this state purchased land and also entered a tract in Jones county, coming into possession of two hundred and fourteen acres, which he and his brother operated in partnership for a few years. He then sold out to his brother and removed to Cedar county where he purchased two hundred and fifty-one acres of raw prairie land now owned by his widow and son Charles. To the improvement and cultivation of that tract he devoted his energies for many years, erecting good and substantial buildings, and in connection with the cultivation of the soil also engaged in the raising of stock. He died upon this farm January 10, 1904, and is still survived by his wife, who now makes her home with her daugther in Lisbon, Iowa. To them were born three children, the sons, Frederick J. and Charles, being twins. The latter lives on the old homestead farm and is one of the enterprising and successful farmers and stock-
MR. AND MRS. CHRISTOPHER STAAB
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raisers of this locality. He is married and has one son. Effie M., the only daughter, is now the wife of Thomas J. Beckett of Lisbon.
Upon the home farm Frederick J. Staab was reared to manhood, early ac- quiring an excellent knowledge of all the duties, which fall to the lot of the agriculturist and when not engaged in the work of the farm he attended the common schools and thus acquired a good practical education. He remained at home until after the death of his father and on the 7th of Setpember, 1906, was married in Blue Earth, Minnesota, to Miss Mae Kohl, a daughter of Duane Kohl, one of the pioneers of Cedar county. Mrs. Staab was born, reared and educated in this county, her home being in Mechanicsville, and by her marriage has become the mother of one child, Mary Bernard.
After his marriage Mr. Staab located in Jones county, Iowa, where he pur- chased eighty acres of land and engaged in its cultivation for two years. He then sold that place and bought a tract of one hundred and sixty acres on sec- tion 8, Pioneer township, Cedar county, where he now resides. Here he has since successfully engaged in general farming and stock-raising, fattening a large number of hogs for the market each year. He also gives considerable attention to the raising of shorthorn cattle of a high grade and has a number of good horses upon his place. He is one of the most energetic and progressive agricul- turists of his community and is a public-spirited citizen, taking a commendable interest in public affairs. By his ballot he supports the men and measures of the democratic party and his aid is never withheld from any enterprise which he believes will prove of public benefit.
FRANK BARTSCHER.
Frank Bartscher; a representative agriculturist of Farmington township, there owns a well improved tract of two hundred and eighty acres and also has a quarter section of land in Inland township, this county. His birth occurred in Waldeck, Germany, on the 23d of November, 1850, his parents being Henry and Catherine Bartscher, further mention of whom is made in connection with the sketch of William Bartscher, a brother of our subject.
Frank Bartscher attended school in Germany and there spent the first fifteen years of his life. In 1865 he set sail for the new world and after landing on American shores made his way direct to Davenport, Iowa, working as a farm hand in Scott county for about seven years. On the expiration of that period he came to Cedar county, here cultivating rented land for a short time. Subse- quently he purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Farmington township in association with his brother Daniel, the two young men remaining in partnership for four years. At the end of that time Daniel Bartscher sold his interest in the place and returned to Germany, leaving our subject to operate the farm alone. When two years had passed he purchased an eighty-acre tract of land near by and later bought an adjoining tract of similar size, so that his holdings in Farmington township now embrace two hundred and eighty acres. Here he carries on general farming and stock-raising with the assistance of his
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sons, his interests in this connection returning to him a gratifying annual income. He likewise owns one hundred and sixty acres of land in Inland township, rent- ing the property to his son Harry. He made all of the improvements on his home farm, which is up-to-date in all of its appointments, the buildings thereon including a fine residence, a substantial barn and other structures providing ample shelter for grain and stock.
On the 23d of April, 1873, Mr. Bartscher was united in marriage to Miss Emma Jammer, a daughter of John and Lena (Bush) Jammer, both of whom were born in Germany and are now living retired in Durant, Iowa. Unto our subject and his wife were born nine children, namely: Annie, who is the wife of John Kroeplen, of Farmington township, this county; Emma, who gave her hand in marriage to Gerhart Schwarting and resides in Sunbury, Iowa; Dora, who was married August 24, 1910, to Hugo Prahl and lives in Doon, Iowa; Harry, who wedded Miss Clara Schneekloth and lives on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Inland township, this county; August, Arnold, Lulu and Ralph, all at home; and Frank, who passed away in 1888, when six years of age.
In politics Mr. Bartscher is a democrat and now holds the office of road supervisor, having served in that capacity for five years. He was also school director for five years. He belongs to the German Lutheran church and his wife and children are also members thereof. The hope that led him to leave his native land and seek a home in America has been more than realized. He here found the opportunities he sought, and, making the most of them, has steadily worked his way upward until he well deserves to be numbered among the leading and successful citizens of Farmington township.
FRITZ COOK.
Fritz Cook, a retired agriculturist residing in Sunbury, was long and suc- cessfully identified with farming interests in this county. His birth occurred on the island of Fenmern, Germany, on the 10th of August, 1850, his parents being Fritz and Annie (Wandschneider) Cook, who were likewise born on that island. The father's natal day was June 29, 1817, while the mother's birth occurred on the 19th of April, 1821. Fritz Cook, Sr., who crossed the Atlantic to the United States in 1867, passed away in Sunbury, Iowa, on the 28th of July, 1890, while his wife was called to her final rest on the 16th of June, 1900. Their union was blessed with eight children, seven sons and one daughter, all of whom were born in Germany and three of whom are deceased.
Fritz Cook obtained his education in the schools of the fatherland and there spent the first seventeen years of his life. In 1867 he emigrated to America in company with his brother Andrew, first locating in Davenport, Iowa, where he worked as a farm hand for two years. On the expiration of that period he rented a farm of two hundred acres in association with his father and two brothers, while later he purchased eighty acres of land in Farmington township, Cedar county. Subsequently, in 1889, he bought a tract of eighty acres on which the
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village of Sunbury now stands. He likewise purchased three hundred and twenty acres in Lyon county, later trading the property for a quarter section of land near Durant. He also owns three hundred and twenty acres of improved land thirty-five miles south of Winnipeg, Canada, one hundred and sixty acres in Cedar county and the place where he is now living retired. Through the careful conduct of his agricultural interests in former years he won the com- petence that now enables him to enjoy well earned rest, surrounded by all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.
On the 15th of January, 1876, Mr. Cook was united in marriage to Miss Sophia Fredericka Bull, a daughter of John and Megretha (Miller) Bull, both of whom were natives of Holstein, Germany. They made the voyage to the new world in 1857, first settling in Davenport, Iowa, while in the spring of 1864 they came to Cedar county, here spending the remainder of their lives. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cook were born seven children. William, whose natal day was February 7, 1879, died on the 10th of December of the same year. John, who was born on the 19th of November, 1876, is a resident of Sunbury. Annie G. is the wife of George Schlunsen and resides in South Dakota. Celia G., who gave her hand in marriage to Henry Dettman, makes her home in Bennett, Iowa. Albert, who was born on the IIth of July, 1882, lives in Sunbury. Herman H. and Hugo H., twins, were born on the 24th of April, 1884, and are now engaged in the banking business in South Dakota.
Where national questions and issues are involved Mr. Cook supports the democracy but at local elections casts an independent ballot. He served as school director for nine years and has been township trustee for six years, ever dis- charging his official duties in a most prompt and able manner. Both he and his wife are consistent members of the Lutheran church, exemplifying its teachings in their daily lives. His friends-and they are many-know him to be a man of high principles and stalwart purpose and throughout the community in which he lives he commands the respect and confidence of those with whom he has come in contact.
GEORGE DAVIDSON.
George Davidson is one of the promnient and well known farmers and stock- raisers of Cedar county, owning and cultivating the old homestead farm on sec- tions 17, 20 and 21, Fremont township. The place comprises two hundred and forty acres of valuable land, which has been brought under a high state of cul- tivation and annually returns good harvests for the care and labor bestowed upon it. The present owner and occupant of this farm dates his residence in the county from 1861, arriving here when a lad of nine years. He was born in Thompsonville, Connecticut, January 7, 1852, and is a son of Joseph Davidson, a native of Ireland, who, when a young man, crossed the Atlantic to the new world, settling first in Connecticut. There he remained for about ten years. He had been married in Ireland to Miss Elizabeth McClellan, a native of the Emerald isle, and it was shortly after their marriage that they made the voyage
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to the United States. On leaving Connecticut in 1861 they came to Iowa and took up their abode where their son now resides, purchasing forty acres on which was a small house. The land had been partially broken and Mr. Davidson began to further improve and develop the property to which he afterward added as his financial resources increased, until he became the owner of one hundred and sixty acres, constituting a well improved property upon which he reared his family. He died in 1876 at the age of fifty years, and is still survived by his widow, who resides with her daughter in Jones county, Iowa.
George Davidson supplemented his early education by study in the Me- chanicsville high school, and remained with his father until the latter's death. He afterward purchased the old home place of his brother and subsequently in- vested in eighty acres of land adjoining, so that he is now the owner of a good property of two hundred and forty acres, constituting one of the well developed farms of the county. He has added to and remodeled the house, has built barns and other outbuildings, has fenced the fields and has carried on the work of improvement along modern and progressive lines. He has largely used woven wire to fence his place and the farm presents a neat and attractive appearance that indicates his careful supervision and painstaking, practical methods. Stock- raising is an important feature of the farm, his specialty being hogs, of which he feeds and fattens a large number each year. A sale of hogs, which he has recently made, netted him twenty-one hundred dollars. He also raises good horses and has a standard trotting Hambletonian.
Mr. Davidson was married in Fremont township in May, 1881, to Miss Mary E. Jackson, a native of Rock Island, Illinois, where her girlhood days were spent and her education was acquired. She is a daughter of Richard Jackson, Sr., and a sister of W. A. Jackson and Richard Jackson, Jr., of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Davidson have been born six children: Joseph R., who is married and follows farming in Palo Alto county, Iowa; Fred, who is associated with his brother Joseph in his farming operations; Harry, who assists in carrying on the home farm; Mabel, the wife of Charles Andre, a farmer of Pioneer township; and Lucille and Ethel, at home.
In his political views Mr. Davidson has always been a republican with firm faith in the efficiency of the republican party as a factor in good government. He has served for three terms as justice of the peace and has declined further political honors. He has, however, been a delegate to the county conventions and has done duty on both the petit and federal juries at Cedar Rapids. He and his wife hold membership in the Presbyterian church of Mechanicsville and Mr. Davidson belongs to the blue lodge and the chapter of the Masonic fraternity at that place, and to Anamosa Commandery, K. T. He is likewise connected with the Mystic Shrine at Cedar Rapids and is regarded as one of the best posted Masons in the work of the order in eastern Iowa. He has filled the office of master of the lodge and is now high priest of the chapter and both he and his wife belong to the Eastern Star. He is thoroughly in sympathy with the teachings of the craft and conforms his life thereto. The history of Cedar county is largely familiar to him and events which are to others matters of
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record are to him matters of personal experience and observation, for over a half century he has been a witness of the county's development and along material lines has aided in its growth.
THOMAS JAMES.
Thomas James, whose demise occurred at Springdale, December 3, 1887, successfully carried on general agricultural pursuits for a number of years and was widely recognized as one of the extensive landowners and respected citizens of Cedar county. His birth occurred in Columbiana county, Ohio, on December 3, 1809, his parents being John and Martha (Bangham) James, who were reared and married in Virginia. Thomas James, the paternal grandfather, was a native of Wales and settled in Virginia after emigrating to the United States. The maternal ancestors of our subject were of English birth.
Thomas James was one of three sons and three daughters born to his parents and was the only member of the family who came to Iowa. He remained a resident of his native county until forty-two years of age and in 1851 took up his abode in Cedar county, this state, entering land in Gower township about four miles north of Springdale. Soon afterward he removed to a farm one mile west of Springdale, devoting his attention to its operation for ten years. During the remainder of his life he made his home at Springdale, there passing away De- cember 3, 1887, when seventy-eight years of age. He conducted a store in Springdale for a few years but followed farming throughout the greater part of his active business career and at one time owned about five hundred acres of land in one body. Success crowned his labors and he was long numbered among the substantial and representative citizens of his community.
In the fall of 1841 Mr. James was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Mc- Bride, who was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, on the Ioth of May, 1817, her parents being Evan and Jane (Pennock) McBride, natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania respectively. Her paternal grandfather, Stephen McBride, served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war and also fought against the Indians. While in the army he was converted and joined the Friends church. He loyally de- fended his country's interests until honorably discharged but refused a pension, having become antagonized to warfare. The parents of Mrs. Hannah James spent the greater part of their lives in Columbiana county, Ohio, and there she lost her father when but eight years of age. The mother lived to attain her ninety-seventh year, passing away at the home of her daughter Hannah.
Mrs. James is the only surviving member of a family of six children, one of whom was born after the father's death. She lived in Columbiana county until the time of her marriage and there taught school for a number of years. The record of her children is as follows: Leicester, who enlisted for one hundred days' service in the Union army, died a few months after the expiration of his term. For two years prior to his enlistment he had been a student of the Iowa State University. Homer, an attorney and merchant of Linn county, makes
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his home at Springville. Mary passed away at the age of five years, her demise occurring soon after the removal of the family to Iowa. Mrs. Martha J. Apple, who was educated at the State University and the State Normal School, fol- lowed the profession of teaching for a number of years and now resides with her mother at Springdale. John Evan likewise died soon after the family home was established in this state. Emeline and Angeline, twins, are both deceased, the former passing away in infancy and the latter at the age of three years. Walter is a resident of California.
Thomas James was a republican in his political views and served as justice of the peace for many years, his fair and impartial decisions winning him "golden opinions from all sorts of people." He also held other local offices and, being fond of reading, kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He was reared in the faith of the Friends church and attended its services but never became a member thereof. His widow has now passed the ninety- third milestone on life's journey and is remarkably well preserved for a woman of her age, her faculties being still largely unimpaired. She yet resides in Springdale and has a host of warm friends throughout the community which has remained her home for almost six decades. As recently as five or six years ago she delivered some very good speeches at meetings of the Old Settlers So- ciety and her mind has always remained bright and active. She has been an elder in the Friends church for many years and acts as such at the present time. In automobiling she finds recreation and pleasure and frequently takes a ten or fifteen mile drive.
ROBERT C. WALTERS.
Robert C. Walters is a representative of one of the old and well known pioneer families of Cedar county. He was born three miles northeast of Tip- ton, in Fairfield township, in one of the typical log cabins of the early days. His birth occurred December 22, 1856, and in the intervening years, covering more than half a century, he has been a continuous resident of Cedar county. When he was only a year old his parents removed to what became the family homestead on section 34, Fairfield township. Extended mention of his father and mother is made in connection with the sketch of J. P. Walters on another page of this volume.
Robert C. Walters was early trained to the work of the home farm, becom- ing familiar with the tasks incident to its development and cultivation in his boyhood days. He divided his time between the work of the fields and the acquirement of an education in the public schools and remained upon the old homestead up to the time of his marriage, when he bought a farm adjoining his father's place on the east. He thus came into possession of eighty acres of land and later he added eighty acres more, thus becoming the owner of one hundred and sixty acres on section 33, Fairfield township. He occupied that place for ten years when he sold out with the intention of going to Kansas. Changing his plans, however, he cultivated a rented farm for three years, after which he
MR. AND MRS. R. C. WALTERS
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purchased the Stone Mill property, two and one-half miles south and a half- mile west of Tipton in Center township. This comprised one hundred and sixty acres of land. Later he traded forty acres of this for a home in Mount Vernon, which he still owns. He sold the remainder of his farm in March, 1910. In the meantime he rented his land for ten years and made his home in Mount Vernon, that he might give his children the better educational advantages of- fered in a town. While residing there he occupied a position as traveling sales- man.
Mr. Walters was married first to Miss Elizabeth Ocheltree, who was born near Tipton on the 19th of August, 1855, and was a daughter of Maurice Ochel- tree. She died at Mount Vernon, September 15, 1900. After losing his wife Mr. Walters went to California, where he remained for two years. He then re- turned to Cedar county and on the 28th of October, 1905, was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Nannie (Wisener) Sheets, who was born in Ohio in 1857 and in 1865 came to Iowa with her parents, Amos and Marinda (Pitsenbarger) Wisener, who are now residents of Tipton. On removing to Iowa, however, they first settled in Mechanicsville, and later took up their abode in the county seat. Nannie Wisener was first married on the 9th of May, 1875, to Jacob Sheets, who died April 5, 1900. She had five children by her first marriage: Arthur, a resident of Omaha, Nebraska; Roy, living in West Liberty, Iowa; Frank, whose home is in Cedar Rapids; Myrtle, who is the wife of Roy Stewart of West Branch, Iowa; and Evelyn, the wife of O. L. Wright of Cedar Rapids. By his first marriage Mr. Walters had three children: Forest, who is living in Mount Vernon; Roy, at home; and Elsie, of Rock Island, Illinois.
After his second marriage Mr. Walters resided upon the farm for a year before taking up his abode in Tipton, where he now makes his home. He was one of the first members of the Modern Woodmen Camp in this county, having been identified with the organization for a quarter of a century. He has spent practically his entire life here and those who have known him from boyhood to the present are numbered among his stanchest friends, a fact which indicates that his has been an honorable record, winning for him the good will, confidence, trust and respect of his fellowmen.
EDWARD W. HENDERSON.
A farm of two hundred acres on section 4, Fremont township, is the prop- erty of Edward W. Henderson, who is classed with the active and progressive agriculturists of the community. He is yet comparatively a young man, so that undoubtedly further success awaits him in the future. Iowa claims him as one of her native sons, for his birth occurred in Linn county, December 12, 1871. His father was William Henderson, a native of Ohio, who came to Iowa when a young man and settled in Linn county, where he followed the cooper's trade, which he had previously learned. He was married in that county to Miss Sarah Read, who was born in Ohio and reared in Cedar county, Iowa, where her father had located at an early day. Following his marriage Mr. Henderson
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