USA > Iowa > Cedar County > A topical history of Cedar County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 37
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When Mr. and Mrs. Enlow came to Cedar county the town of West Branch had not been founded, and they did their trading at Springdale or Iowa City. There were no railroads and the journey westward from Ohio to Indiana and from Indiana to Iowa was made by wagon, Mrs. Enlow carrying her baby in her arms all the way. On reaching their destination Mr. Enlow purchased one hun- dred and sixty acres of land, on which was a small house. A portion of the tract had been broken and with characteristic energy Mr. Enlow began the further development and improvement of the place, upon which he continued to reside throughout the remainder of his active business life. He prospered ex-
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ceedingly during the period of the Civil war, receiving high prices for every- thing that he raised. In the early days the family went to Springdale for their supplies and for their mail. Their home was situated five miles from the vil- lage, but when the railroad was built Springdale was left off the line and the town of West Branch was started, so that they came to the latter place for their mail and trading. Mrs. Enlow has witnessed the entire growth of West Branch and has manifested keen interest in what has been accomplished there. Mr. Enlow was one of the original stockholders of the West Branch State Bank and Mrs. Enlow was one of the first stockholders of the Citizens Savings Bank. She still retains stock in both, but when they removed to the town they disposed of their farm. Mr. Enlow was also one of the original stockholders in the Cedar County State Bank of Tipton and in the West Liberty State Bank, now the Peoples Bank. His judicious investments enabled him to leave a handsome competence to his family.
He manifested a citizen's interest in politics and in religion. He was a member of the Society of Friends throughout his life and was identified with the West Branch church, contributing largely to its building and to its support. In the antebellum days he was a strong opponent of slavery and when the repub- lican party was formed to prevent its further extension into the territories he joined its ranks. He was a generous, kind-hearted man, always looking for opportunities to do good, and in all of his benevolent work Mrs. Enlow shared. She has generously used her means for the benefit of others. She gave to West Branch not only the public library but also the site which it occupies. The only condition attached to her gift was that the town should keep it up. She is ready to help every public enterprise that promises to benefit the com- munity and promote its growth. She is recognized as one of the most active, helpful and valued members of the Friends church, and her life has been an exemplification of her Christian faith and belief. She has ever made it her purpose to follow the golden rule and whenever the opportunity has come to speak a kind word or do a generous deed she has done it. Although now seventy-eight years of age she retains her mental faculties unimpaired and in the management of her affairs displays keen business discernment and notable enterprise. For more than a half century she has lived in this county and all with whom she has come in contact are glad to call her friend.
JOHN H. REICHERT.
For more than a half century John H. Reichert was a resident of Tipton and during that period was ever an honorable and upright business man, whose labors contributed in substantial manner to the upbuilding and progress of the city as well as to his individual success. In whatever field he labored he ac- complished what he undertook, as his energy was unfaltering, while his in- dustry never flagged. His prominence in the community will make his his- tory one of interest to many of our readers.
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Mr. Reichert was born in Navarre, Stark county, Ohio, on the 5th of Janu- ary, 1839, and was one of a family of several children. He attended school for only about two or three months in the year and then only until fourteen years of age, when he was obliged to relinquish his studies in order to assist his father, who was a cabinet-maker. He worked at the bench for a time but did not find that pursuit congenial and desired of his father permission to go west, after making a futile attempt to secure a position in which he might learn the carpenter's trade in his home town. His father reluctantly consented for he was the only child at home but finally granted him permission on the condition that John should remain at home for five or six months to assist him in disposing of some of his furniture which he had made, that he might thus discharge his indebtedness and have a little money remaining.
It was at that time that John H. Reichert began to realize what a sacrifice it would be for his father for him to go west and he resolved therefore not to take a dollar of his father's money but borrowed twenty-five dollars when, in the spring of 1856, at the age of seventeen years, he started for Iowa. On the 28th of May he reached Tipton and the next morning began working as a car- penter on the house of Moses Bunker at a dollar per day. He was thus em- ployed until the following winter, losing not even a half day's time during that period. The next spring he joined his brother in a partnership for carrying on carpentering and they did a contracting business for seven years when they extended the scope of their activities by establishing a lumber business, in which they were also successful. As there was no railroad to Tipton at that time, they hauled all their lumber from Muscatine.
A further change in the nature of their business occurred in the spring of 1868 when they disposed of their lumberyard to Harry Hatch and established a hardware store, in which a growing trade brought them well merited suc- cess until 1875, when John H. Reichert sold out on account of failing health, occasioned by the close confinement of the store. Again however, he entered into active connection with the lumber trade, for indolence and idleness were utterly foreign to his nature, and he became a partner of Tipton Culbertson, whose interest he purchased the following year, thus becoming sole proprietor. He conducted the business alone until 1885, when he admitted Charles Geller to a partnership under the firm style of Reichert & Geller. He continued an active factor in the management and control of the business until January I, 1900, when he sold his interest to his son, H. W. Reichert, and retired from active business life. Throughout his connection with the trade interests of Tip- ton he had maintained an unassailable reputation and enjoyed that success which results from earnest and determined effort intelligently directed.
On the Ist of October, 1863, Mr. Reichert was united in marriage to Miss Perlina Birely and theirs was a most happy and congenial married life up to the time of her death which occurred on the 21st of January, 1888. Mr. Reich- ert survived until December 19, 1907. He had never been in good health from the time of his retirement from business and in the fall of 1907 he went to Mar- lin, Texas, for relief, but the change of climate did not bring the relief antici- pated and his life was brought to its close. His memory is honored by all who
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knew him and is warmly cherished by those who were closely associated with him through the ties of friendship and of kinship. He had many good qualities, not the least of which was his sense of justice, which prompted him to deal hon- estly with all men and made his name the synonym of commercial integrity in Tipton.
FERDINAND PETERSEN.
Prominent among the agriculturists of Farmington township is Ferdinand Petersen, the owner of four hundred acres of valuable land in this county. His birth occurred in Holstein, Germany, on the 21st of May, 1847, his parents being Frederick and Christina (Hass) Petersen, who spent their entire lives in that country. Frederick Petersen passed away about 1883, having for a number of years survived his wife, who was called to her final rest in 1853.
Ferdinand Petersen acquired his education in the schools of the father- land and also served in the German army for three years, participating in the war with France in 1870-1. In the spring of 1872 he crossed the Atlantic to the United States, making his way direct to Scott county, Iowa, and arriving in Davenport with a cash capital of but one dollar. Finding immediate em- ployment a necessity, he secured work as a farm hand with Jack Bruce, a pio- neer settler of Scott county, with whom he remained for five months. During the following five months he worked on farms in the vicinity and then came to Cedar county, here laboring as a farm hand for three years longer. On the expiration of that period he rented a tract of four hundred acres in association with his brother Christian, operating the place for two years, while subsequently they cultivated a rented farm of one hundred and sixty acres for one year.
At the end of that time Mr. Petersen of this review rented one hundred and sixty acres of the farm on which he now resides, later purchasing the property. His next purchase made him the owner of an adjoining tract of eighty acres, while from his wife he received a quarter section of land, so that his holdings in this county now embrace four hundred acres. He also owns one hundred and sixty acres of rich and productive land in Highland township, O'Brien county, Iowa, leasing the property. The many substantial improvements on his home place, which include a handsome new residence, barns and other out- buildings, all stand as monuments to his industry and enterprise. The land is under a high state of cultivation, and from his farming interests he derives a substantial annual income, supplying him with all of the comforts and some of the luxuries of life.
On the 7th of February, 1877, in Davenport, Mr. Petersen was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Sophia Jockheck, born in Quincy, Illinois, October 17, 1851, a daughter of E. F. and Sophia (Steinhaugen) Jockheck, who took up their abode among the early settlers of this county and still reside in Durant. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Petersen have been born eight children, as follows: Ernest F., who makes his home in Sunbury, Iowa; Adolph F., of this county ; Alma M. S., who gave her hand in marriage to Paul A. Lage, of Cedar county ;
FERDINAND PETERSEN AND FAMILY
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RESIDENCE OF FERDINAND PETERSEN
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Mabel L., who is the wife of Richard O. Petersen, of Scott county ; George H., at home; Ferdinand H., a twin brother of George, who passed away on the 16th of April, 1906; and Viola S. and Mary E., who are likewise still under the parental roof.
Since becoming a naturalized American citizen Mr. Petersen has exercised his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the democracy. For two years he ably served his fellow townsmen in the capacity of road supervisor. He is president of the Sunbury Krieger Verein, a German so- ciety, and also belongs to the German Lutheran church, with which his wife and children are likewise identified. Arriving in the United States with prac- tically no capital save a stout heart and willing hands, he realized the fact that while in this country labor is unhampered by caste or class, it is only by un- faltering diligence, guided by sound judgment, that success can be secured. By the exercise of these qualities he has made steady progress and has long been numbered among the substantial and esteemed residents of Farmington town- ship.
HENRY C. HAMANN.
Henry C. Hamann, whose well directed labors as an agriculturist have won him a gratifying measure of success, is now the owner of a highly improved and valuable farm of two hundred and forty acres in Farmington township. His birth occurred in Holstein, Germany, on the 12th of February, 1854, his parents being Fred and Elsie (Licht) Hamann, who were born, reared and married in that country. The father, whose natal day was August 28, 1820, emigrated to the new world in 1875 and carried on general agricultural pursuits through- out the remainder of his life. He passed away on the 15th of March, 1895, in Harrison county, Iowa, where his widow still makes her home. Their children were seven in number, as follows: Charlie, who is a resident of Harrison county, Iowa; Henry C., of this review; Louisa, the wife of Charles Gramkow, of Harrison county; John, who lives in Harrison county, Iowa; Minnie, who gave her hand in marriage to Ernst Frederickson, of Wilton, Iowa; Dora, who is the wife of Murry Evans and lives in Nebraska; and William, deceased.
Henry C. Hamann spent the first sixteen years of his life in the fatherland and there largely obtained his education. In 1870 he crossed the Atlantic to the United Sates and for a short time attended school in Scott county, Iowa. After putting aside his text-books he secured employment as a farm hand, being thus busily engaged for about seven years. On the expiration of that period he rented a tract of land in Inland township, Cedar county, devoting his attention to its cultivation for four years. He then purchased eighty acres in Farmington township and later added an adjoining tract of one hundred and twenty acres. Subsequently he again extended the boundaries of his farm by an additional purchase of forty acres, so that his land holdings now embrace two hundred and forty acres. Since the property came into his possession he has built two fine residences thereon and has also erected good barns and other outbuildings.
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The farm is modern and up-to-date in all of its appointments and in its neat and thrifty appearance indicates the supervision of a practical and progressive owner. In addition to cultivating the cereals best adapted to soil and climate Mr. Hamann also raises stock to some extent, deriving from both branches of his business an ample income.
On the 15th of February, 1883, in Davenport, Mr. Hamann was united in marriage to Miss Amelia Reins, a daughter of William and Minnie (Rudolf) Reins, both of whom were natives of Germany and are now deceased. Their marriage was celebrated in Scott county, Iowa. Our subject and his wife have six children, namely: William, born on the 9th of November, 1883, who was married November 28, 1908, to Emma Glaser and resides upon a part of his father's farm; Henry, whose natal day was January 26, 1885; Edward, whose birth occurred July 17, 1888; Frank, who first opened his eyes to the light of day on the 8th of June, 1892; Minnie, who was born May 19, 1899; and Mabel, whose birth occurred on the 14th of July, 1901.
Where national questions and issues are involved Mr. Hamann supports the democracy but at local elections casts an independent ballot. He served as school director for ten years, while for three years he held the office of road supervisor. Both he and his wife belong to the German Lutheran church and are deeply interested in its work. He has never had occasion to regret his de- termination to come to America, for in this country he has found the oppor- tunities which he sought and through their utilization has worked his way up- ward, his life indicating what may be accomplished by determination and well directed energy. The period of his residence in this part of the state covers four decades and he has many friends here, having won the warm regard of all with whom he has been associated.
WILLIAM F. THOMSON.
Success is not to be had for the asking but always comes as the reward of earnest, persistent effort intelligently directed. This fact finds verification of the life work of William F. Thomson, whose unfaltering industry and carefully managed business affairs have won for him a place with the leading represen- tative farmers of Fremont township. He lives on section 26, where he is en- gaged in raising grain and stock, cultivating a farm of two hundred and forty acres. Iowa numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred in Adams county on the 13th of December, 1879. He is a son of William M. Thomson of Stanwood, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. He was two years of age when his parents removed to Cedar county. Upon the home farm in Fremont township his youthful days were passed, his education being acquired in the common schools and in Stanwood high school. Through the periods of vacation he worked in the fields assisting his father until he had at- tained his majority. He was married in Tipton on the 5th of April, 1904, to Miss Sadie Wertz, who was born in Red Oak township, Cedar county, and is a daughter of Isaac Wertz.
FARM YARD OF FERDINAND PETERSEN
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After his marriage Mr. Thomson rented and cultivated the J. K. Davidson farm for one year and later devoted a year to farming in Red Oak township. He then removed to the farm which he now occupies and to the further de- velopment and cultivation of which he has devoted five years, raising a good crop each year. He does not wear out a field by planting the same crop year after year, but practices the principle of rotation and in fact uses the most modern methods to keep his land in good condition so that it will prove pro- ductive. In connection with his farming and stock-raising he feeds about one hundred and fifty hogs each year and from one to two carloads of cattle. In both branches of his business he has been quite successful.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Thomson has been blessed with five sons: Paul E., Richard E., Everett S., Charles William and George M. The family are well known in this locality and both Mr. and Mrs. Thomson have a large circle of warm friends. He belongs to the United Presbyterian church of Stan- wood and in his political associations is a republican. He has been officially identified with the schools for a number of years and the cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion. In fact, he cooperates in every measure and movement for the public good. His life is characterized by strenuous activity, by unsullied business integrity, by unfaltering industry, and his genuine per- sonal worth has made him widely and favorably known not only in Stanwood but throughout Cedar county.
JOSEPH SCHONBORN.
Joseph Schonborn, who is successfully engaged in business as a dealer in grain, coal and poultry, owns a large elevator at Centerdale and also acts as station agent for the Rock Island Railroad. His birth occurred in Frankfort, Germany, on the 3d of August, 1869, his parents being John George and Mar- garet (Heftrich) Schonborn, who spent their entire lives in that country. The father worked as a contractor. Our subject was the youngest of four children and the only member of the family who came to this country.
Joseph Schonborn obtained his education in the fatherland and was eigh- teen years of age when he left high school and entered the government mail service, with which he was identified until twenty-three years old. In 1892, having determined to try his fortune in the new world, he crossed the Atlantic to the United States and after landing in New York city there worked as a laborer for a year and a half. Subsequently he was similarly employed at Beers- ton, New York, for a period of seven years and then learned telegraphy in the service of the Grand Trunk Railroad. He next entered the employ of the Penn- sylvania Railroad and remained with that corporation until he came to Cedar county, Iowa, in 1906. Here he first served as station agent for the Rock Island Railroad at West Branch and for the past three years has held that position at Centerdale. When the elevator here was destroyed by fire he purchased the site and has recently completed a new structure with a capacity of ten thousand bushels. He deals in grain, coal and poultry and has already built up a good
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business of that character, being widely recognized as a man of excellent ex- ecutive ability and inflexible integrity.
In 1898 Mr. Schonborn was united in marriage to Miss Susie M. Beers, a native of this county and a daughter of Ephraim S. Beers. They now have three children, namely : Hulda, Herman and Elizabeth. The hope that led Mr. Schonborn to establish his home in the new world has been more than realized, for here he found the opportunities which he sought and through their wise utilization has won a place among the prosperous and respected citizens of his community.
HENRY THIESEN.
Henry Thiesen, who died at his home in Farmington township on the 13th of September, 1909, was identified with general agricultural pursuits in this part of the state throughout his entire business career and gained a large degree of prosperity in this connection. He was sixty-five years of age when called to his final rest, his birth having occurred in Germany on the 25th of July, 1844. He acquired his education in the fatherland and there spent the first twenty- two years of his life. In 1866, having determined to establish his home on this side the Atlantic, he emigrated to the United States and located in Davenport, Iowa, where he worked as a farm hand for three years. On the expiration of that period he rented a tract of three hundred and twenty acres in Scott county and subsequently operated a rented farm of four hundred acres in Muscatine county.
In 1881 Mr. Thiesen purchased the place on which his widow and daugh- ters now reside in Farmington township, Cedar county, first buying two hun- dred and forty acres and later adding an adjoining tract of eighty acres. In 1903, however, he disposed of one hundred and sixty acres of his farm. He re- modeled the house, erected new barns and outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock and brought his fields under a high state of cultivation. His labors both as a farmer and stock-raiser were crowned with success, and when he passed away the community mourned the loss of one of its most substantial and esteemed citizens.
On the 3d of May, 1871, in Davenport, Mr. Thiesen was joined in wedlock to Miss Maria Rosenberg, whose parents spent their entire lives in Germany. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Thiesen were born eight children, as follows: Julius, who is now a resident of O'Brien county; Lena, living in Davenport; Henry, of Muscatine county; Amanda, at home; Adelia, the widow of Benjamin Lun- schen; Ella, who is the wife of Otto Meyhaus, of Sunbury; Elizabeth, likewise at home; and Amelia, who died in infancy.
Mr. Thiesen gave his political allegiance to the democracy for many years but late in life became a supporter of the republican party. He ably served his fellow townsmen in the offices of township trustee, road supervisor and school director, ever discharging his public duties in a most prompt and satisfactory manner. In religious faith he was a Lutheran and his widow and children like-
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wise belong to the church of that denomination. Taking up his abode in the new world in early manhood, he wisely utilized the opportunities which came to him and eventually won the prosperity which is ever the reward of earnest, persistent effort when guided by sound judgment. Mrs. Thiesen, who still re- sides on the old home place in Farmington township, is well known and highly esteemed throughout the community for her many excellent traits of heart and mind.
JOHN WALSHIRE.
John Walshire, an honored veteran of the Civil war, has for many years been numbered among the most progressive and prosperous agriculturists of Fremont township, owning a well improved and valuable farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section 7. Cedar county has been his home for the past third of a century. His birth occurred on the 3d of November, 1843, in Fair- field county, Ohio, where he grew to manhood on a farm, attending the com- mon schools in the acquirement of an education. In March, 1863, he enlisted for service in the Union army, joining Company G, One Hundred and Fortieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as a private. He was first under fire at Nashville, Tennessee, and later participated in the engagements at Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. He also took part in the last fight at Nash- ville, where General Thomas defeated Hood. In September, 1865, he was hon- orably discharged. During his term of service he fell a victim to the measles and spent two weeks in a hospital at Nashville. He was mustered out there and returned to Columbus, Ohio, where he was discharged.
Immediately after his return he went to work on the home farm and as his father died five days later, the management of the place and the care of the family devolved upon him. Three years later his mother was called to her final rest. Subsequently he sold his interest in the homestead property and worked by the month for three years. On the expiration of that period he rented land and was thus actively identified with general agricultural pursuits until 1877, when he came to Cedar county, Iowa, here purchasing the tract of one hun- dred and twenty acres on which he has resided continuously since. A few acres of the land had been broken and the only buildings on the place were a cabin and shed. Setting resolutely to work, he prepared the soil for cultivation, erected a substantial residence, commodious barn and cattle shed and planted evergreen, shade and fruit trees. He also fenced and tiled the land and has brought the fields under a high state of cultivation and improvement, annually gathering bounteous harvests. In connection with the tilling of the soil he raises and fattens from one to two carloads of hogs and cattle each year. He likewise raises good standard bred horses and in both his farming and live- stock interests has won well merited success.
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