USA > Iowa > Cedar County > A topical history of Cedar County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 35
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John T. Burmeister attended the district schools of his native county in the acquirement of an education and after completing his studies assisted his father in the work of the fields. On starting out as an agriculturist on his own account he rented a quarter section of land in Scott county from his father, while sub- sequently he rented a farm of three hundred acres from his father-in-law. When he had accumulated sufficient capital to enable him to purchase land of his own he came into possession of a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Farming- ton township, Cedar county, to the further cultivation and improvement of which he has devoted his time and energies continuously since. He has erected a hand- some modern residence and his place is lacking in none of the equipments and
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accessories of a model farm of the twentieth century. In connection with the tilling of the soil he devotes considerable attention to the raising of stock, finding both branches of business remunerative.
On the 22d of February, 1887, in Davenport, Mr. Burmeister was united in marriage to Miss Annie Carstens, a daughter of Carsten and Annie Carstens, who are residents of Dixon, Iowa. Unto our subject and his wife were born five children, as follows: Malinda, the wife of Otto Paustian, of Cedar county ; Hugo and Harvey, at home; and twins who died in infancy.
In politics Mr. Burmeister is independent, voting for men and measures rather than party. The honors and emoluments of office have never had any attraction for him, for his time has been fully occupied in the management of his private interests. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the German Lutheran church. His entire life has been spent in this part of the state and in his home community he enjoys an enviable reputation as a man of energy, enterprise and integrity.
JAMES C. FERGUSON.
With the rapid settlement of the country and the development of the prai- ries the land of Iowa has become very valuable, and the man who is fortunate enough to own a goodly tract has an almost unfailing source of income. An eminent student of the economic conditions and resources of the country has said that there is no better or more paying investment in all America than the farm lands of the middle Mississippi valley. Mr. Ferguson has therefore wisely chosen to ally his interests with the agriculturists of this portion of the state, where he now owns and occupies a farm of three hundred and eighty-eight acres on sections 28, 29, 32 and 33, Pioneer township. He is strongly attached to this district, not only because it is his present place of residence but also because it is his birthplace. He was born in Pioneer town- ship, December 10, 1852, a son of Claudius and Mary (Steele) Ferguson, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The father was born in Alle- gheny county and was reared in that and in Westmoreland counties, being married in the latter county to Miss Steele. Removing westward to Iowa about 1849, they took up their abode in Pioneer township, Cedar county. Much of the land was still in possession of the government and Mr. Ferguson en- tered a tract upon which not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made. He bent his energies to the arduous task of preparing the land for cul- tivation, the breaking plow being followed by the harrow and the hoe, so that in course of time the seed, planted in the early spring, brought forth generous harvests in the late autumn. Subsequently Mr. Ferguson added to his original tract by purchase, becoming the owner of the farm upon which his son James now resides. It was upon this place that the father spent his last years, pass- ing away on the 30th of August, 1876, while his wife died in September, 1879. Their family numbered four sons, James C., Oliver S., John S. and Rueben C. and four daughters, Mrs. Alice McKee; Mrs. Emma J. Studer ; Mrs. Jean-
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nette Luen, who is now deceased; and Irene, who became the wife of C. C. Brown, of Mechanicsville.
The riotous games of youth, the quiet periods of the schoolroom and the arduous tasks of the fields occupied the time and claimed the attention of James C. Ferguson in his youthful days. His early educational privileges were supplemented by study in the high school of Mechanicsville, and a year's study in the state university, and for some years in early manhood he engaged in teaching. This was a valuable experience, developing in him not only the power of imparting knowledge which he had acquired, but also promoting his self-control, deliberation and adaptability-qualities which are valuable in all relations of life. After teaching for a time in Iowa, he went on a visit to Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and there accepted a school, but after teaching for some months in that state he returned to the Cedar county farm. On the 28th of March, 1878, he was united in marriage to Miss Oceana E. Brookman, a native of Connecticut, who was there reared.
The young couple began their domestic life upon the farm which Mr. Fer- guson now owns and the spirit of progress and enterprise which has dominated him in his life work is manifest in the large two-story residence which he has erected and the two large barns which he has built near his home. He also has a cattle farm on another part of the place. There is a natural grove upon the place and many attractive features. Woven wire has been used to inclose the farm and fence the fields, and he has the latest improved ma- chinery with which to facilitate his work. He inherited one hundred and sixty acres of his land from his father and from time to time has added to this until his holdings embrace three hundred and eighty-eight acres. He is also well known in connection with the raising, feeding and sale of stock, ship- ping about a carload of cattle and two carloads of fat hogs each year. He handles high grade shorthorn cattle and has a pure blooded bull for breeding purposes. In addition to his agricultural interests he is known as one of the stockholders of the Mechanicsville State Bank and also the Mechanicsville Savings Bank, and his name has become an honored one on commercial paper. His business integrity as well as his enterprise has long stood as an unques- tioned fact in his career and what he has accomplished represents the fit utilization of time, talent and opportunity.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson have been born five sons: J. R., at home ; Howard C., a student in the State Agricultural College at Ames; Frank G., at home; Everett, who is attending the Mechanicsville high school; and Mor- ris, who is also attending the Mechanicsville high school. Mr. Ferguson is prominent in Masonic circles in Cedar county, holding membership in the lodge and chapter at Mechanicsville, in the commandery at Anamosa, Iowa, while in Cedar Rapids he crossed the sands of the desert with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and the basic principles of Masonry find exemplification in his life. He has filled all of the chairs of the order and is now a past master of the subordinate lodge. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while his political views are manifest in the unfaltering support which he gives to the democratic party. He was first called to public office when elected assessor, in which position he served for three terms, and in 1904 he
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was reelected. In 1894 he was chosen to the position of county clerk and served for one term of two years. He has been a delegate to county and state conventions and does all in his power to further the interests of the political party in which he believes. For fifty-eight years he has been a resident of Cedar county, since which time he has witnessed many changes, none being more marked, however, than along agricultural lines. The crude farm ma- chinery of a half century ago has been replaced by that of modern manu- facture, greatly lessening the labors of the farm.
HENRY HECHT.
With the business interests of Tipton, Henry Hecht has long been prominently identified and prior to this was successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits in Cedar county but is now living practically retired, giving his attention only to his invested interests. A native of Pennsylvania, he was born in Westmoreland county, June 21, 1833, his parents being John and Louise Catherine (Eisley) Hecht, natives of Wittenburg, Germany. The father was born in 1800 and in his native land was reared and educated. He was also married there and prior to his emigration to the new world two children were born to himself and wife. On crossing the Atlantic the family located in Pennsylvania and for some years the father followed his trade as a stone-mason and plasterer in West Newton but in 1854 he brought his family to Cedar County, Iowa, and in this state spent the remainder of his life. Both he and his wife died at Clarence when about eighty years of age. In their family were five children, namely: John, now a resident of Ida Grove, Iowa; a daughter who died in infancy; Henry, of this review ; Fred, of Clarence, Iowa; and Mrs. Elizabeth McKelvey, a widow, living 'in Chicago.
In his native state Henry Hecht was reared and educated, his home being at West Newton, Pennsylvania, until twenty years of age, and there he learned the trade of a stone-mason and plasterer with his father. He accompanied the fam- ily on their removal to Cedar county, Iowa, in 1854, making his home on the farm in Springfield township until his marriage, when his father gave him a farm of eighty acres adjacent to the home place. This he improved and con- tinued to engage in agricultural pursuits with marked success for many years, adding to his property from time to time, until he was possessed of five hundred and eighty acres of rich and valuable land all in one body and on retiring from farming he rented his place for a time and later sold it. It was on the Ist of March, 1888, that he removed to Tipton, where he has since made his home, building at that time his present fine residence on Meridian street. He still has farming interests in Minnesota and for three or four years after locating in Tipton was engaged in the hardware business in connection with his son-in-law, D. L. Diehl, under the firm name of Hecht & Diehl. He is now a director of the Farmers & Merchants Savings Bank and is also a stockholder in the Clarence Savings Bank, where he did all of his banking business while residing on the farm.
HENRY HECHT
MRS. HENRY HECHT
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On the 8th of April, 1856, Mr. Hecht was united in marriage to Miss Cath- erine Lichtenwalter, a native of Maryland. She came to this country in 1854 with her parents, Abraham and Susan Lichtenwalter and settled in the same neighborhood as our subject. She died October 31, 1863, and of the three chil- dren born to them two are deceased: Werty, who died at the age of sixteen years, and Annetta, who died at the age of seven years. The eldest, Ida, is now the widow of Fred Hecht of Clarence, Iowa.
Our subject was again married May 17, 1864, his second wife being Miss Sarah Frances Denson, who was born in Jones county, Iowa, January 2, 1854., Her parents were Joseph and Mary (Riddle) Denson, natives of South Carolina and Kentucky, respectively. They were married, however, in Quincy, Illinois, and from that state removed to Jones county, Iowa, in 1851. The father went overland to California, where his death occurred. His wife died in Cedar county, Iowa, at the age of eighty-four years. During his residence in this state he ran a ferry boat at one time across the Wapsie river at Massillon, Iowa. In his fam- ily there were four children, namely : Mrs. Anna C. Bronson, now a widow living in Chicago; Margaret, the wife of Eugene Post of Chicago; Sarah F., the wife of our subject ; and Zachariah, of Missouri. By his second marriage Mr. Hecht had four children, as follows: Lulu, the wife of D. F. Diehl, a banker of Tipton ; Jessie V., the wife of W. P. Ross of Davenport; Alice, the wife of F. B. Cobb, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume; and Ralph Hecht, a dentist of Hawkeye, Fayette county, Iowa.
The republican party finds in Mr. Hecht a stanch supporter of its principles, and in his religious faith he is a Methodist. Wherever known he is held in high esteem and he has the confidence and high regard of all with whom he comes in contact whether in business or social relations. A man of sound judgment and reliable methods, he has met with more than ordinary success in his undertakings and is today ranked among the most prosperous as well as honored citizens of Tipton.
SAMUEL J. IREY.
Although almost three decades have passed since Samuel J. Irey was called to his final rest, he is still remembered by many of Cedar county's older resi- dents as a substantial and respected citizen who for a number of years suc- cessfully carried on agricultural pursuits in Springdale township. His birth occurred in Columbiana county, Ohio, on the 18th of June, 1833, his parents being Jonah and Rebecca (Willis) Irey, who were Quakers. When five years of age Samuel J. Irey accompanied his parents on their removal to Jay county, Indiana, and there continued to reside until he came to Cedar county, Iowa, in 1862. He followed carpentering while a resident of the Hoosier state but took up agricultural pursuits after arriving in this county and remained an enterprising representative of farming interests here throughout the remainder of his life. His place originally embraced only forty acres but as his finan-
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cial resources increased he extended its boundaries by additional purchase and at the time of his demise owned one hundred and twenty acres of rich and productive land in Springdale township. He was also one of the original di- rectors of the State Bank at West Branch. His death, which occurred on the 15th of December, 1882, was the occasion of deep and widespread regret, for he had gained an extensive circle of friends here. In his father's family there were six children, four sons and two daughters.
On the 17th of March, 1859, Mr. Irey was united in marriage to Miss Jo- anna Smith, who was born in Meigs county, Ohio, on the 5th of January, 1839, her parents being John and Rachel (Beeson) Smith, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively. When five years of age she was taken to Indiana by her parents and in that state the mother passed away. In 1854 she came to Iowa with her father, who settled in Springdale township, Cedar county, and improved a farm. When advanced age necessitated his retirement John Smith sold the property and took up his abode at West Liberty. His family num- bered seven children. Unto Samuel J. and Joanna (Smith) Irey were born the following children: Richard Smith, who died in infancy; Rachel, who re- sides in Springdale township and is the wife of William Erb, of whose house- hold Mrs. Irey is a member; Eva, the wife of Theon Quier, of West Liberty ; and Chester S., who resides on the old home farm in Springdale township.
. Fifty-six years have passed since Mrs. Joanna Irey came to this country with her father and during that period she has witnessed a most wonderful transformation as pioneer conditions have given way before the onward march of civilization. There were no railroads at the time of her arrival here and Muscatine was the nearest market. During the first winter she saw a herd of twenty deer pass over the farm and Indians also visited the district quite frequently. She likewise remembers seeing John Brown pass by their home. She has a host of warm friends throughout the community, her many good traits of heart and mind having endeared her to all with whom she has come in contact.
WILLIAM F. MILLER.
William F. Miller, a retired agriculturist residing in Farmington township, won a competence through the careful conduct of his farming interests in former years and is therefore enabled to spend the evening of life in well earned rest. His birth occurred in Mecklenburg, Germany, on the 4th of June, 1842, his parents being Carl and Elizabeth Miller, who spent their entire lives in that country. Their children were eight in number but our subject is now the only surviving member of the family.
William F. Miller, who obtained his education in the schools of the fa- therland was a youth of fourteen when in 1856 he accompanied a sister and two brothers on their emigration to the new world. Securing employment as a farm hand in Scott county, Iowa, he was thus busily engaged until 1872, when he had accumulated sufficient capital to purchase land of his own, com-
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ing into possession of a tract of one hundred and sixty acres in Farmington township, Cedar county. That farm has remained his place of abode con- tinuously since and the many substantial improvements thereon were all made by him. As the years passed by he met with a gratifying measure of success in his agricultural interests, the fields yielding their annual tribute of golden grain as a reward for the care and labor which he bestowed upon them. When his well directed energy and enterprise had brought him a competence he put aside active farm work and has since lived in honorable retirement. In 1909 he purchased another quarter section of land in Farmington township, which is rented and operated by his son-in-law, Louis A. Paustain.
On the 4th of October, 1872, in Tipton, Iowa, Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Lena Leth, a daughter of Henry and Betsy (Steffen) Leth, who were born and married in Germany. They crossed the Atlantic to the United States in 1873, settling in Durant, this county. Henry Leth still sur- vives and makes his home in this county with his son, Henry, Jr., but his wife has passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are the parents of ten children, seven daughters and three sons, namely: Bertha, who is the wife of Christian Cook, of Lyon county, Iowa; Emma, who gave her hand in marriage to Charles Schiele, Jr., and resides in Cedar county; Meta, the wife of Richard Schroeder, of Minnesota; Winnie, who wedded Theodore Schroeder and like- wise makes her home in Minnesota; Henry, who is still under the parental roof; Fred, a resident of Minnesota; Clara, who is the wife of Louis A. Paus- tain and lives on her father's farm in this county; Lillie and Walter, both at home; and Hulda, who is a teacher in the public schools of Cedar county.
In politics Mr. Miller is a democrat, believing firmly in the principles of that party. He has continuously served as township school treasurer since 1885 and has been township trustee for thirty-five years, holding both positions at the present time. He also acted as road supervisor for one year and has ever proved a most capable and trustworthy public official. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias at Sunbury, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the German Lutheran church, to which his wife and children also belong. Although born across the water, he is thor- oughly American in spirit and interests and most loyal in his devotion to the stars and stripes.
WILLIAM J. GLASGOW.
Nature has been lavish in her gifts to most sections of the country. Maine, Michigan and the Pacific northwest have found their chief source of income in their forests; other sections of the country are rich in mining properties, but no district seems to have been more blessed than the central Mississippi valley with its rich soil that responds readily to the care and labor betowed upon it. A noted lecturer who discusses economic conditions and the natural resources of the country says that there is no better investment than in Iowa and Illi- nois farm lands and it is through the conduct of his agricultural interests that
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William J. Glasgow has come to be known as one of the prosperous citizens of Cedar county. He engages in the raising of grain and of stock and has long been thus identified with Fremont township. He has eighty acres in the home place and forty acres in another tract and cultivates both places. He dates his residence in Iowa from 1875 and has been a resident of Cedar county since 1892.
Mr. Glasgow was born near Toronto, Canada, December 26, 1865, and is a son of Thomas Glasgow, who was married in Canada to Miss Johannah Allen, a native of that country. Thomas Glasgow followed farming in Can- ada for a number of years and two children were born unto him and his wife while residing there. In 1866 they removed southward to Missouri, settling in Pettis county, where the father opened up a farm whereon he made his home for a number of years. In 1875 he removed to Iowa, taking up his abode in Johnson county, where he spent his last years, his death there oc- curring on the 17th of June, 1910. He was laid to rest in one of the ceme- teries of that county. For a considerable period he had survived his wife, who died August 17, 1890.
William J. Glasgow was reared upon the home farm in Johnson county and spent a considerable portion of his youth in Iowa City. He had good public-school advantages that qualified him for life's practical and responsible duties and after putting aside his text-books he gave his attention largely to railroad bridge building. He remained with his father until 1891 and then engaged in railroading as an employe of the Northwestern Railroad Com- pany, which he represented for twelve years on bridge work, his long asso- ciation with one company indicating his efficient work in that direction.
On the 11th of August, 1893, Mr. Glasgow was married in Cedar county to Miss Alice Boyles, who was born and reared in this county and is a daugh- ter of David Boyles, a native of Pennsylvania, who was brought to Iowa in his childhood days by his parents. Mrs. Glasgow was educated in Mechanics- ville, where she completed a course and was graduated. She later pursued a course of study in the Normal School at Tipton and received a diploma in recognition of the work which she there did. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Glasgow took up their abode in Iowa City, Mr. Glasgow being em- ployed as fireman at the State University for a year. On the expiration of that period he removed to Cedar county and settled upon a farm. He first rented land and later, in 1906, purchased the place where he now resides, becoming the owner of eighty acres of land in Fremont township. He has since built a good barn and hog house upon the place and has his fields fenced with woven wire. There is also a neat residence with the various sheds and outbuildings that are necessary for the protection of grain, stock and farm machinery. He annually harvests good crops and at the same time raises con- siderable stock.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Glasgow have been born three children: William . D., Inez Marie and Eveline Alice. Mr. Glasgow was reared in the faith of the Catholic church, while his wife is a Presbyterian, holding membership in the church at Mechanicsville. His political allegiance is given to the democracy and while he has never sought nor desired office he keeps well informed on
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the leading questions and issues of the day. He is one of the well known farmers of Fremont township and a man of good business integrity and worth. His fellow townsmen have learned to know and trust him and he has ever been found worthy of their trust.
GEORGE W. PARK.
George W. Park, whose home is on section II, Linn township, has a tract of one hundred acres of land which returns to him a gratifying annual income as a reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon the fields and upon his stock, for he carries on both general farming and stock-raising. The attractiveness of Cedar county as a place of residence is indicated in the fact that many of her native sons have elected to remain within her borders, en- joying the natural. advantages and opportunities here afforded. Such a one is Mr. Park, who for more than a half-century has lived in Cedar county, his birth having occurred in Linn township on the 10th of July, 1859. He is a son of George W. Park, Sr., and a brother of John B. and Enos Park, who own adjoining farms. Further mention of the family history is given in connection with the sketch of John B. Park on another page of this volume.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for George W. Park in his youthful days. He was reared upon the old homestead and the joys and pleasures of boyhood were his while at the same time his parents wisely impressed upon his mind lessons concerning industry, perse- verance and integrity. As his age and strength increased he aided more and more largely in the work of the fields, remaining with his father until the latter's death and then succeeded to a share of the estate. He has always fol- lowed general agricultural pursuits and has made a close study of the best methods of tilling the fields. Since his marriage he has resided at his present home and during this period has rebuilt and remodeled the house and done much repair work so that everything about the place is kept in excellent con- dition. There is an orchard on the farm of his own planting and the fields produce good crops while in the pastures and feed lots are found good stock. He raises and feeds a large number of hogs each year, also high grade cattle and some sheep. He finds delight as well as profit in his stock-raising inter- ests and he now has a flock of sixty head of Shropshire sheep, which are fine animals. Progress has been the keynote of his character and his success in all that he has undertaken is attributable entirely to his earnest purpose and care- ful management.
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