USA > Iowa > Cedar County > A topical history of Cedar County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 40
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On the 28th of February, 1877, Mr. Leth was united in marriage to Miss Cicle Gottsch, who was born in Holstein, Germany, December 28, 1849, a daughter of Claus and Anna (Kuel) Gottsch. The father was also born in Holstein, February 5, 1810, and passed away on the 17th of August, 1894, in
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Farmington township, this county, but the mother, who was born March 9, 1814, died in Holstein, August 18, 1871, before the emigration of the family to America. It was in 1875 that Mrs. Leth crossed the Atlantic and first lo- cated in Moline, Illinois.
Of the eight children born to our subject and his wife, four are now de- ceased, three having died in infancy, while Annie died at the age of thirteen years. The others are: Tillie, who was born February 13, 1879, and is now the wife of George Thede, of Cedar county; Alma, born April 12, 1883 ; Lillie, born September 20, 1886; and Harry, born July 6, 1890. The three youngest are at home with their parents.
Mr. Leth casts an independent ballot at local elections but supports the democracy on national questions. He was a school director for twenty-five years and also acted as road supervisor for two years, declining to serve longer. He and his family belong to the German Lutheran church, and he is also a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity at Sunbury. During the period of his residence in Cedar county, covering more than four decades, he has gained an extensive acquaintance and many friends who hold him in high esteem.
JOHN McALLISTER.
A farm of one hundred and thirty acres of arable land and ten acres of timber land on section 9, Pioneer township, is the property of John McAllister, and in the development of the place he follows the most progressive methods of agriculture. His farm is endeared to him not only through the associations of manhood but also of boyhood, for it was here his youthful days were passed and it was here his birth occurred, his natal day being February 26, 1858.
Thomas McAllister, his father, was born in Ireland and was a son of Neice McAllister, who on leaving the Emerald isle crossed the Atlantic to Canada, where he resided for some years. He then left the Dominion to establish his home in the United States, making his way at once to Cedar county, Iowa. Thomas McAllister was largely reared in Canada and with his parents came to this state, where he soon afterward started out in life on his own account. On the 21st of April, 1857, he was married here to Miss Elizabeth Mccluskey, a native of Canada. He purchased a tract of raw land of one hundred and sixty acres and later sold eighty acres of this, giving his attention to the cultivation and improvement of the remaining eighty acres. On the farm he built a good brick house, which was one of the first in the county. He assisted in making the brick and erecting the house, which is two stories in height and is still in a good state of preservation although it was built fifty-four years ago. He also made other substantial improvements on the place, including the erection of a good barn and outbuildings to protect grain and stock from the inclement weather. He fenced the fields, bought fifty acres of land adjoining and alto- gether developed a good farm. He learned how to economize time and make his labor count for the most and as the years passed by his intelligently di- rected effort brought him success. His last years were spent upon this place,
MR. AND MRS. THOMAS MCALISTER
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where he passed away February 3, 1907, and his wife survived him for only a few months, her death occurring September 28, 1907.
Their children were seven in number: John and James, who reside on the old homestead farm; Bernard, living in Howard county, Iowa; Thomas, who died in infancy; Mary, who acts as her brother's housekeeper and owns an interest in the home place; Nancy, who joined the Sisters of Charity, being known as Sister Mary Bernarda, and who is now a teacher in the Catholic col- lege at Boulder, Colorado; and Elizabeth, the wife of M. J. Davin, of Black Hawk cou.ity, Iowa.
Mr. McAllister and his family were reared in the Catholic faith and the daughter who became Sister Mary Bernarda was educated in the Catholic schools of Davenport and Dubuque. For some years she has given her life to religious work. Reared to farm life, John McAllister has always engaged in general agricultural pursuits and has not only carefully tilled the soil but for years has also made a business of raising, feeding and fattening stock for the market. In this work he has been successful and has become well known in Mechanicsville and in Cedar and Linn counties. Politically he is a democrat but has never desired office. After his father's death he and his sis- ter purchased the interests of the other heirs in the old home place which they now own, the sister managing the household affairs while Mr. McAllister gives his attention to the work of the fields, wherein he is winning a good return for his labors.
HENRY JACKSON.
Henry Jackson, one of the enterprising and representative agriculturists of Fremont township, owns and operates an attractive and well improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 7, within a mile of Mechanicsville. His birth occurred in Fremont township, this county, on the 7th of June, 1874.
His father, John Jackson, was born and reared in the Buckeye state and at the time of the Civil war joined the Forty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he remained throughout the period of hostilities. He was captured by the Confederates and spent eleven months in Andersonville prison and four months on Belle Isle. On leaving the army he returned to Ohio but soon after- ward came to Cedar county, Iowa, purchasing and locating on a tract of eighty acres near Mechanicsville. At the end of a few years he sold the property and bought the farm of one hundred and sixty acres which is now in possession of our subject. At that time a log cabin stood on the place and only a small por- tion of the land had been broken. By dint of unremitting toil he brought the fields under a good state of cultivation and also erected a substantial residence and barn as well as other necessary outbuildings. There he carried on his agri- cultural interests with excellent success until 1893, when he took up his abode in Mechanicsville, where he remained for about five years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Sandusky, Ohio, and that city has since been his home. He was twice married, his first wife being a Miss Allen, by whom he
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had four children, namely : Frank, a resident of Cedar county ; and Ed, Walter and John, all of State Center. His second union was with Cordelia Hines, and to them were born two children: Hulda, the wife of Fred Armstrong, of Cedar Rapids ; and Henry, of this review.
Henry Jackson grew to manhood on the home farm and pursued the pre- scribed course of study in the Mechanicsville high school. When his father left the farm he took charge of the place and has since made many improve- ments thereon, having remodeled the house, repaired the barn, erected more out- buildings, fenced the fields and set out fruit trees. In addition to cultivating the cereals best adapted to soil and climate he also raises and feeds stock, fat- tening from one to two carloads of hogs annually. In the management of his business affairs he displays keen discernment, unfaltering enterprise and sound judgment, and in the community where his entire life has been spent his name stands as a synonym for integrity and worth.
On the 22d of November, 1894, in Mechanicsville, Mr. Jackson was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Conner, who was born, reared and educated in Cedar county. Her father, William Conner, is likewise a native of this county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Jackson have been born three children: Willard, Howard and Marion.
Mr. Jackson is a republican in politics and is now ably serving in the capacity of township trustee. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Mechanicsville and both he and his wife belong to the Rebekahs. The latter is likewise a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson are widely and favorably known throughout the county, having gained many friends during their lifelong residence here.
FRANKLIN W. DANCE.
The Pleasant View farm, one of the fine properties of Linn township, was the birthplace of Franklin W. Dance and thereon he is now successfully en- gaged in raising and feeding stock as well as in cultivating the fields in the production of the crops best adapted to soil and climate. Long a resident of this county, where he has many friends, his life history cannot fail to prove of interest to many of our readers.
His natal day was August 16, 1857, and he comes of English ancestry. His father, Major John Dance, was born in Lincolnshire, England, in 1823, and spent his youthful days in that country. In early manhood he became overseer of a large farm but the opportunities of the new world proved an irresistible attraction and in 1849 he crossed the Atlantic to the United States. Prior to sailing for the new world he was married on the 28th of May, 1849, to Miss Phoebe H. Hodson, whose noble patriotism was evinced during her husband's absence in the Civil war by maintaining her home at a great self-sacrifice. She was born at Henly Green, England. Following their arrival in America Mr. and Mrs. Dance spent about a year in Ohio and in 1852 became residents of Cedar county, Iowa. They spent one year at Rochester, after which he entered
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two forty-acre tracts of land upon which his son Franklin now resides. Not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made upon the place at the time but his unfaltering activity soon wrought a marked transformation in the appearance of his land, which was converted from wild prairie into richly pro- ductive fields. He continued to engage in general farming until after the out- break of the Civil war, when, feeling that his first duty was to his country, he enlisted and joined Company K of the Eleventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He participated in the battle of Shiloh and other engagements. Later he was in the hospital for some time from a bullet wound in his right arm, after which he re- turned home on a furlough. He was then commissioned to raise a company for service at the front and later went to Davenport, Iowa, where he acted as drill master for some time. When he again returned to the front he was elected captain of Company K, Eighth Iowa Cavalry, and served with that rank until promoted to major, holding the latter commission until the close of the war. He was mustered out at Macon, Georgia, August 18, 1865, and received honor- able discharge. The war over, Major Dance returned to his home and family and afterward became well known as pension agent and attorney of Linn county. He was elected and served on the county board of supervisors and in other local positions, his well known ability and loyalty in citizenship leading to his selection for various public offices. He reared his family here and in 1884 removed to Lisbon. He was there also called to public office and about 1886 was a candidate for the state legislature. He filled various positions of honor and trust and over the record of his official career there fell no shadow of wrong nor suspicion of evil. He spent his last years in Lisbon, but he died on the 21st of February, 1905, at Orient, Iowa, during a temporary sojourn there with his daughter Emma, having for a year survived his wife, who passed away January 12, 1904. They were laid to rest side by side in the Lisbon cemetery. Major Dance was a member of the Loyal Legion of Honor, of which Rutherford B. Hayes was commander. At the father's death the membership and badge reverted to his son Franklin W., who prizes these very highly. In the family were but two children, the daughter being Emma, the wife of Captain James M. Treichler, a brother of Judge Treichler.
Franklin W. Dance was reared upon the home farm, there living until the removal of his parents to the town of Lisbon. He afterward purchased the Cedar Bluff Creamery, which he conducted for two years, and early in his busi- ness career he manifested the qualities of perseverance, determination and energy which have been the salient factors in his later success. After his mar- riage he located upon the home farm, where he has since erected a neat resi- dence, a good barn and convenient outbuildings. This place, appropriately named the Pleasant View Stock Farm, comprises three hundred and twenty acres of rich and productive land. Of this one hundred and sixty acres is fenced and cross-fenced with hog-tight woven wire. He has made a close study of the best methods of tilling the fields and annually garners rich crops. He also engages in buying stock, largely handling steers, which he feeds and fattens for the market. He also fattens many hogs each year and his live-stock interests constitute an important and profitable branch of his business. The farm is
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equipped with the latest improved machinery and all of the accessories needed for facilitating the work.
Mr. Dance was married in Tipton on the 27th of September, 1881, to Miss Elizabeth S. Beese, who was born at Cedar Bluff and is a daughter of Carl Beese, one of the early settlers of the county and a veteran of the Civil war. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dance have been born four daughters: Arlynn M. pursued her education at Mount Vernon and at Cedar Falls, and now holds a state teach- er's certificate, being recognized as one of the leading educators of Iowa. She is now the wife of Dr. E. W. Bittner, a prominent young physician of Wheat- land, Iowa, and a graduate of the State University of Iowa. Gale H., who also pursued her education at Mount Vernon and Cedar Falls, formerly engaged in teaching prior to her marriage to P. O. Clarke, also a student of Cornell Col- lege of Mount Vernon and now one of the progressive and intelligent farmers and business men of Linn county; Georgia H., who was educated at Cornell College, is also a teacher and assistant of Professor Aurner in securing data on the schools for this history of Cedar county; and Frankie Evelyn, who was educated at Cornell College of Iowa, completing the teacher's course, has since been engaged in teaching in Cedar county. The family is a prominent one, occupying a leading position in those social circles where intelligence and true worth are received as the passport into good society.
Mr. Dance attends the services of the Coon Creek Methodist Episcopal church located on his farm and his daughters are members of the church, while Mrs. Dance holds membership in the Baptist church. He was appointed a dele- gate to the Farmers National Congress held at Richmond, Virginia, in 1905, and has served altogether four times as a delegate to that body. Politically he has always been identified with the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. The cause of education has ever found in him a stalwart champion and for twenty-five years he has been township school treas- urer. He has been a delegate to both county and state conventions of his party and served as census enumerator of Cass and Linn townships in 1900. His loyalty to every public trust reposed in him is one of his strongly marked char- acteristics. He is a man of excellent business ability, recognized as a successful farmer and stock-dealer. The Dance home is one of education and refinement and of warm-hearted hospitality, and is a favorite resort of the many friends of the family. Their influence is all for good, being at all times given on the side of progress, improvement, justice and truth.
WILBER N. FAUROT.
Wilber N. Faurot, proprietor of the Pleasant View Stock Farm, located on section II, Pioneer township, is one of the most progressive and successful agri- culturists of Cedar county. His place, which consists of nearly four hundred acres of well improved and valuable land, is pleasantly located within two miles of Mechanicsville and is one of the best improved farms of the locality. For thirty-six years he has been a resident of this county, having arrived here on
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the 25th of March, 1874, and since attaining man's estate has been prominently identified with the upbuilding and development of this region. A native of Pennsylvania, he was born in Susquehanna county, August 26, 1858.
Samuel J. Faurot, the father of our subject, was a native of New Jersey and of French descent, being a son of James Faurot, who came to this country from France at an early day and was one of the pioneers of New Jersey. From that state he removed with his family to Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania,
where Samuel J. Faurot grew to manhood and was married to Miss Phebe Miller, a native of that county. There they continued to make their home upon a farm until after the birth of six of their children, and in 1867 removed to Illinois, locating in Carroll county, where the father purchased a farm and en- gaged in its operation for six years. At the end of that time he sold out and came to Cedar county, Iowa, where he bought the farm now owned and occu- pied by our subject. His first purchase consisted of two hundred and twenty- five acres, but as time passed and he prospered in his undertakings he added to his property until he and his sons owned four hundred and sixty acres. Upon that place he continued to make his home until called to his final rest August 7, 1901. His wife died July 20, 1910. George, who lives in South Dakota, is the oldest of their three children now living, the others being: Wil- ber N., of this review; and Nettie, the wife of John Kalb, of Denison, Iowa.
Wilber N. Faurot was about sixteen years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal to this state and previous to that time had acquired a good common-school education in Pennsylvania and in Illinois. He never left the parental roof, but after reaching manhood was engaged in farming with his father for a number of years. He was married in Pioneer township, on the 19th of February, 1890, to Miss Rachel Longerbeam, who was born and reared in this county. Her father, William Longerbeam, was born in West Virginia about 1827 and in early life came to Iowa, being married in Johnson county. It was about 1880 that he settled in Pioneer township, Cedar county, where he followed farming until his death, July 17, 1895. His wife died on the 10th of June, 1901. In their family were six children, three sons and three daughters, of whom Mrs. Faurot is the fourth in order of birth. There have been five sons born to Mr. and Mrs. Faurot, namely: Howard B., Foster W., Lloyd, Arthur G. and Harland, who as they become old enough assist their father in the operation of the farm.
Mr. and Mrs. Faurot began their domestic life upon the old homestead where they now reside and he has since made many improvements upon the place, including the erection of good and substantial buildings, which stand as monu- ments to his thrift and enterprise. He raises cattle and hogs for the market and usually ships from two to four carloads of stock per year. He also deals in horses to a considerable extent and is regarded as one of the best judges of stock in his locality. By his ballot he supports the men and measures of the republican party but has never cared for official honors. His father, however, was very prominent in public affairs and was called upon to fill various posi- tions of honor and trust, serving as assessor for some years and as township trustee. He was also a delegate to the county convention of the republican party, with which he affiliated, and was one of the leading and representative
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citizens of his community. Religiously he was identified with the Methodist Episcopal church at Mechanicsville and took an active part in its work. Our subject and his wife also hold membership in that church and he affiliates with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Mechanicsville, in which lodge he has filled all of the chairs, being past grand at the present time. Both Mr. and Mrs. Faurot belong to the Rebekah lodge at that place, and the family is one of prominence in the community where they have so long made their home. In business affairs Mr. Faurot is prompt and notably reliable and well merits the high esteem in which he is held.
MICHAEL ZERBE.
In 1851 Michael Zerbe arrived in Cedar county. The district presented a far different appearance at that time from what it does today. The land was then largely wild and unimproved and comparatively few settlements had been made in this region to show that the work of civilization had been begun. There were wild animals and considerable wild game but the rich resources of the country attracted enterprising men who, taking advantage of the opportunities here offered, have won prosperity and at the same time have been the upbuilders of the county. To this number belongs Michael Zerbe, who is now living retired at the age of eighty-two years. He was, however, for a long period closely associated with industrial and agricultural interests and won success by unfal- tering industry and perseverance.
A native of Pennsylvania, he was born in Schuylkill county, November 8, 1828. His father, John Zerbe, was also a native of the same county and there spent his youthful days. He married Magdalene Gebert, who was likewise born in Pennsylvania, and in the Keystone state they reared their family, after which they removed to Miami county, Indiana. John Zerbe followed farming both in Pennsylvania and in Indiana, owning two farms in the latter state and there spending his remaining days.
Michael Zerbe was reared to manhood in the county of his nativity. His school privileges were limited so that he is almost wholly self-educated, but his training at farm labor was not meager, as from an early age he worked in the fields, assisting in their cultivation from the time of the early spring planting until the harvests were gathered in the late autumn. He continued with his father until nineteen years of age and then learned the gunsmith's trade at Or- wigsburg, Pennsylvania, where he worked for two years as an apprentice and one year as a journeyman and afterward with his two brothers, Samuel and Jonathan Zerbe, came west to Cedar county, Iowa. Later John Zerbe also came, bought land and engaged in farming here for a number of years but subsequently sold out and removed to Linn county, where his death occurred. Jonathan Zerbe after living for some time in Cedar county went to Muscatine county, where he, too, passed away. On reaching Iowa the three brothers, Michael, , Samuel and Jonathan Zerbe, first purchased eighty acres of land and afterward entered an adjoining tract of forty acres and opened up a farm. They gave
MICHAEL ZERBE
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their entire attention to the improvement of the place for some time and later Michael Zerbe purchased the interest of his brother Samuel and became the owner of one hundred and twenty acres, constituting a good property, which he cultivated for several years. At length he sold out and removed to Fremont township with his brother Samuel, who had there purchased a small place, upon which he spent his remaining days, passing away in 1892. Samuel Zerbe was married in Pennsylvania to Miss Sarah Wolf and brought his bride to Iowa. Her sister, Mrs. Catherine Koppenhaver, was married in Pennsylvania and after her husband's death removed to Iowa, joining her sister, Mrs. Zerbe, in Cedar county. She still resides here with her children. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Zerbe there were born eight children, of whom four are living, namely : Amelia, the wife of Charles Echternacht, a farmer of Iowa; John George, who follows farming; Lucy, the wife of Dr. Russell of Mechanicsville; and Samuel A. Zerbe, of Dakota.
After locating in Cedar county Michael Zerbe opened a shop and worked at his trade for a number of years, making rifles and doing considerable repair work. His attention, however, has mostly been given to general agricultural pursuits, and he has become well known as one of the prosperous farmers and representative citizens of the community, his energy and industry bringing him substantial financial returns. For a considerable period he was associated with his brother Samuel in business and on leaving the farm in Fremont town- ship he removed to Mechanicsville with his brother's widow and her family and in that city now resides. He has been a lifelong supporter of the democracy, casting his first presidential vote for Franklin Pierce in 1852, while in 1856 he voted for James Buchanan. He has since supported every presidential nominee of the party and has never faltered in his allegiance to democratic principles. The Zerbe family are numbered among the pioneer settlers of Cedar county, the brothers taking an active part in the work of development and progress here. Michael Zerbe is today the only survivor and has now reached the age of eighty- two years. He has lived a useful life, has been closely identified with the growth of the county for fifty-nine years, and at all times has commanded the respect and confidence of his fellowmen by reason of his sterling worth.
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