USA > Iowa > Cedar County > A topical history of Cedar County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 42
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In 1868 Mr. Bell came to Cedar county, Iowa, arriving in Inland township in the spring of that year. He had made the journey from Indiana in com- pany with his son Albert, driving across the country with a wagon and two- horse team. A few weeks later the other members of his family came here by train. Mr. Bell purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Inland town- ship and began its further cultivation and improvement, there carrying on gen- eral agricultural pursuits until the time of his death. His labors in this con- nection were attended with a gratifying measure of success and he was long numbered among the substantial and esteemed citizens of the community. The home farm is still in possession of his two daughters, Sarah and Mary.
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On the 18th of September, 1845, in Monroe county, Ohio, Mr. Bell was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Thompson, whose birth occurred in 1815. Her parents were farming people of Belmont county, Ohio. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bell were born five children, namely: Edward, who is deceased; Al- bert, now a resident of Oregon; Sarah, living in Bennett; George A., who has also passed away; and Mary H., who likewise makes her home in Bennett. The wife and mother was called to her final rest on the 18th of November, 1895.
Mr. Bell exercised his right of franchise in support of the men and meas- ures of the republican party, being a firm believer in its principles. He ably served in the capacity of road supervisor but was not an office seeker in the commonly accepted sense of the term. His religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. His was an earnest and consistent Christian life, characterized by stern integrity and honesty of pur- pose, and he left to his family the priceless heritage of a good name, for his record was not sullied by any unworthy or questionable act.
WILLIAM H. STANLAKE.
The life record of William H. Stanlake began on the 25th of June, 1860, and Massillon township was the place of his birth. He has since lived in Cedar county and has gained a place among the representative farmers of Dayton township, his home being on section I, where he is busily engaged in the cultivation of a farm of one hundred and sixty acres. His father, Robert Stanlake, was a native of England and spent the period of his minority in that land. When a young man, however, he sought the opportunities and privileges of the new world and established his home in Cuyahoga county, Ohio. There he was married to Miss Mary Gibson, a native of Scotland, who was born at St. Andrews. He devoted his life to farming in the Buckeye state for a few years and then removed west- ward to Iowa, entering land and becoming one of the early settlers of Benton county. He afterward removed to Cedar county and bought two hundred and forty acres in Massillon township. The railroads were not built at that time and he hauled lumber from Muscatine in order to erect his buildings, which were of a substantial character. He developed his property into a good farm, equipped with modern conveniences, and upon that place he reared his family. The years chronicled his success, for he worked persistently and diligently and in the course of time became one of the prosperous agriculturists of the community. In 1901 he rented the farm to his son and removed to Clarence, where he purchased a home, occupying it until his death, which occurred on the 22d of December, 1904. His wife survived him and died June 22, 1907. Their family numbered three sons : 'Alonzo, a resident of Clarence; William H., of this review; and Thomas, who is living in Clarence.
William H. Stanlake was reared on the old home farm and acquired his education in the common schools. He remained with his father until he had attained his majority and then, starting out in life on his own account, was
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MR. AND MRS. W. H. STANLAKE
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united in marriage, on the 28th of January, 1882, to Miss Hattie B. Rogers, who was born near Amboy, Illinois, and in her childhood days was brought to Cedar county, Iowa. Her father was Jacob Rogers, who settled in Massillon township.
Mr. Stanlake rented land in Massillon and Dayton townships for several years and in 1901 returned to his father's farm, which he cultivated for seven years. At the end of that time he bought a farm of two hundred acres, for which he paid one hundred and twelve and a half dollars per acre. After three years he sold this at one hundred and fifty dollars per acre, and in 1910 he pur- chased his present farm southwest of Clarence. He has prospered in his under- takings and closely studies the best methods of cultivating his fields and raising crops and annually gathers good harvests. He also finds a profitable source of income in his stock-raising, handling cattle which he sells off the pasture and also fattening a large number of hogs each year. For seven years he resided in Clarence, doing anything which came to hand, but his life has practically been devoted to general agricultural pursuits and he has labored successfully in this connection.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Stanlake have been born nine children, five sons and four daughters: Robert L., a resident farmer of this county; Mary E., at home; William J. and Elmer C., who have started out in life for themselves; Elma D .; Carrie B .; Charles F .; Marjorie N .; and Elwood Q.
Politcally a republican, Mr. Stanlake has never sought nor desired office and casts an independent ballot at local elections. He belongs to the Masonic lodge at Clarence and is also connected with the Modern Woodmen. His entire life has been passed in this county, where he is widely known as a practical and successful farmer and a man of good business ability, highly esteemed for his genuine personal worth and adherence to principles of honorable manhood.
JOSEPH KINGSBURY.
Cedar county finds a worthy representative in Joseph Kingsbury, who for more than a quarter of a century has been identified with its farming inter- ests, in which line of activity his well directed efforts are meeting with substan- tial and merited success. A native of Pennsylvania, he was born in Luzerne county on the 18th of February, 1860, a son of Stephen and Catherine (Bar- ney) Kingsbury, also natives of Luzerne county. The parents are both now deceased, the father passing away in Iowa township, Cedar county, April 28, 1876, at the early age of thirty-seven years, while the mother survived until the spring of 1893, her death occurring in Pierce City, Missouri. In their family were four children, of whom Joseph Kingsbury, of this review, is the eldest. The others are: Mary, the wife of Frank Cooper, of Pierce City, Mis- souri; Amanda; and Lorenzo, who passed away in New York city, where he had engaged as a steam-fitter.
Joseph Kingsbury was a lad of thirteen years when, on the 17th of Jan- uary, 1873, he arrived in Iowa with his parents, the family home being estab- lished in Iowa township, Cedar county. His education, commenced in the
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schools of his native state, was completed in the schoools here, and in the fields at home he gained good practical knowledge of the best methods of carrying on farming, early becoming familiar with all the tasks that fall to the lot of the country lad. He remained upon the home farm with his parents until at- taining his majority, when he took up farming on his own account and has since devoted himself to that occupation. In 1883 he purchased his first prop- erty, becoming the owner of eighty acres on section 33, and this tract formed the nucleus of his present excellent property. He at once began the cultiva- tion of this farm with all the zeal and enthusiasm of young and ambitious manhood, and with the passing years was most successful in his undertaking, his prosperity enabling him from time to time to add to his original purchase, first a tract of sixty acres, then another of twenty acres, later forty acres and subsequently ten acres, until today his property holdings cover two hundred and ten acres located on sections 33 and 34, Iowa township, constituting as val- uable a farm as can be found in this district. All the improvements upon the place have been instituted by Mr. Kingsbury and indicate a spirit of enterprise and thrift upon his part. His entire time and attention have been given to his agricultural pursuits with the exception of two years, from 1906 to 1908, when he was engaged in the furniture and undertaking business in Tipton, and in the undertaking business at Bennett in connection with I. J. Hamiel, under the firm style of Kingsbury & Hamiel. Endowed by nature with good busi- ness ability and possessing those qualities so essential to success in the busi- ness world-industry, perseverance and diligence-he has, through the wise utilization of these talents and the opportunities which have come to him, worked his way upward until today he is ranked among the substantial and prosperous farmers of Iowa township.
It was on the 22d of February, 1882, that Mr. Kingsbury was united in marriage to Miss Ida Leonard, a native of Springdale township, born on the 17th of August, 1858, and a daughter of John and Lydia (Rummels) Leonard. Unto this union have been born four children, namely: Leonard, a graduate. of the electrical department of the State Agricultural College at Ames, Iowa,; now making his home in Chicago, Illinois; Howard, Everett and Agnes, all at home.
Mr. Kingsbury has become widely known throughout Cedar county in polit- ical and fraternal circles, being a member of Golden Rule Lodge, No. 24, A. F. & A. M., of Rochester, and also of the Royal Arch chapter at Tipton. He has been identified with the Masonic body since twenty-one years of age and is the second oldest member of the lodge at the present time, while for ten years he served as master. In politics he has been a stanch advocate of democratic principles since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and has ever been an active worker in behalf of that party organization, serving as delegate to various county and state conventions. He has twice been a candidate for the office of county supervisor, and something of his popularity among his fel- low citizens is indicated by the fact that at one time, although the district is strongly republican, he lacked only one vote of being elected to the office of county treasurer. Public-spirited and loyal in his citizenship, he has ever cast his influence on the side of improvement, reform and advancement, and has
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ever labored for the good of the state, which recognizes him as one of her worthy citizens. Progress and advancement have ever been the keynote to his success and he was the first resident of Iowa township to purchase an auto- mobile, becoming the owner of one in 1904. He is a man of many sterling characteristics, and that he possesses those qualities which inspire respect and esteem is indicated by the fact that during his residence in Iowa township he has gained a circle of friends which is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances.
FREDERICK H. DIRCKS.
Frederick H. Dircks, who is busily engaged in the operation of his fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Springfield township, was born in the prov- ince of Westphalia, Germany, on the 17th of June, 1862. His parents, Fred- erick and Christina (Finke) Dircks, are likewise natives of that country, the former born on the 22d of September, 1832, and the latter on the 3d of June, 1832. In 1868 they emigrated to the United States, the father securing em- ployment as a gardener in New York city, where he remained for nine months. On the expiration of that period he brought his family to Cedar county, Iowa, and here began work as a farm hand, being thus engaged for seven years. At the end of that time he had accumulated sufficient capital to enable him to buy one hundred and twenty acres of land, while subsequently, by an additional pur- chase of eighty acres, he extended the boundaries of his farm to include two hundred acres. With the assistance of his sons he successfully operated the place until 1900, when he sold the property and took up his abode in Holland, Iowa, there remaining for five years. In 1905 he purchased an attractive and commodious residence in Lowden and here he and his wife have since lived re- tired, enjoying the fruits of their former toil in well earned ease. Their mar- riage was celebrated in Germany in 1857 and their children are five in number, as follows: Frederick H., of this review; Christine, who is the wife of William C. Richmann; Henry, a resident of Clarence, Iowa; Louisa, who gave her hand in marriage to Henry Reents, of Holland, Iowa; and William, who follows farming near Clarence, Iowa.
Frederick H. Dircks, who was a little lad of six years when he accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world, obtained his education in the district schools of this county. When not busy with his text-books and until the time of his marriage he assisted his father in the work incident to the opera- tion of the home farm, thus early gaining practical knowledge of the best meth- ods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. On establishing a home of his own he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land adjoining his father's farm, improved the place and has there carried on his agricultural interests con- tinuously since. He has brought his land to a high state of cultivation and, bending his energies toward raising the best quality of cereals possible, annu- ally gathers and markets good crops.
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In 1885 Mr. Dircks was united in marriage to Miss Annie M. Richmann, a daughter of William Richmann and a sister of William C. and Fred Richmann, who are mentioned on another page of this volume. Unto our subject and his wife have been born six children, five of whom still survive, namely: Carl, whose natal day was March 1I, 1886; Emil, born September 1I, 1887, who wedded Miss Freda Reinking and resides in Lowden; Lena, whose birth oc- curred on the 19th of August, 1889; Eliza, who first opened her eyes to the light of day on the Ioth of February, 1894; and Luanna, whose birth occurred April 30, 1900. All are still under the parental roof with the exception of Emil. Frederick W., who was born December 16, 1891, met death by drowning on the Ist of August, 1909, when in his eighteenth year.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Dircks has sup- ported the men and measures of the democracy and his fellow townsmen, recog- nizing his worth and ability, have called him to several positions of public trust. He has served as constable, acted as assessor for a period of six years and now holds the office of township trustee. The cause of education likewise finds in him a stanch champion and he has done valuable service in its behalf as a school director. He acts as an elder in the Evangelical church, to which his wife and children also belong. Cedar county has remained his home for more than four decades and his record has ever been in harmony with those things which go to make up honorable and upright manhood.
HENRY F. MEIER.
The well kept fields of Henry F. Meier indicate that his life is one of in- dustry and enterprise, his entire time and attention being devoted to the fur- ther development and improvement of his farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 31, Massillon township. For twenty-eight years he has been a resident of Cedar county and is numbered among the worthy citizens that the fatherland has furnished to the new world. His birth occurred in Han- over, Germany, December 21, 1860, his parents being Dicek and Wilhelmina (Elmhorst) Meier, who were also natives of that country. The father came to the new world in 1884 and here joined his son. Later he purchased the farm on which Henry F. Meier now resides.
The youthful days of Henry F. Meier were passed in Hanover and he was educated in the German tongue. Favorable reports reached him concerning the new world and its opportunities and awakened in him a desire to try his for- tune on this side of the Atlantic. Accordingly he came to the United States in 1880, when but nineteen years of age, and made his way direct to Cedar county, settling first at Lowden. He worked by the month as a farm hand for two or three years, but desirous that his labors should more directly benefit himself; he rented land which he cultivated for three years. He then bought the eighty acre farm upon which he now resides and at once began its further develop- ment and improvement. He added to and remodeled the house, built a good barn, also two double corn cribs, a chicken house and hog house. The build-
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ings are all kept in a state of good repair and indicate the watchful interest of the owner. He has also planted an orchard and set out shade trees, and after some years he purchased eighty acres additional, so that his farm now comprises one hundred and sixty acres, all in one body. Its location on sec- tion 31, Massillon township, makes Clarence his nearest market place. In addition to tilling the soil he feeds stock, fattening a large number of hogs each year, selling the cattle off the pasture and also raising some good horses. He carefully watches all the branches of his business and notes every indi- cation pointing to success. As the years have passed he has prospered and his labors have gained him a place among the substantial residents of this part of the county.
On the 7th of March, 1890, Mr. Meier was married in Clarence to Miss Eleanora Blome, a native of Prussia, Germany. Unto them have been born six children : Minnie, William, Paulina, George, Clara and Ardelia. The family attend the German Evangelical church at Clarence, in which the parents hold membership, and Mr. Meier has also been a member of the Modern Woodmen Camp for sixteen years. He votes with the democracy, has served as director of schools and for four years has filled the office of superintendent of roads. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the United States, for here he found the opportunities which he sought and which, by the way, are always open to ambitious, energetic young men. In their improve- ment he has made steady advancement and has gained a creditable success.
LEWIS WENDT.
Active and enterprising, Lewis Wendt, a farmer living on section 36, Day- ton township, is meeting with well merited prosperity in his undertaking and a farm of one hundred and sixty-three acres, which lies both in Dayton and Massillon townships, pays tribute to the care and labor which he bestows upon it. He has a strong attachment for Cedar county inasmuch as he is one of her native sons and has spent his entire life here.
His birth occurred in Massillon township, July 20, 1872. His father, John Henry Wendt, was born and reared in Germany and was there married to Miss Margaretta Deifer, also a native of that country. Attracted by the broader business opportunities of the new world, he came to the United States and spent a few years in Illinois. He afterward came to Cedar county, Iowa, set- tling in Massillon township as one of the early residents there. Upon the farm which he secured and developed he reared his family and later removed to Lowden, where he now makes his home. He has attained the age of eighty- two years, while his wife is seventy-nine years of age.
The youthful days of Lewis Wendt were spent on the old homestead farm, and his early training made him familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. In early manhood he was employed at farm labor for seven or eight years and thus made his start in life. As a com- panion and helpmate on life's journey he chose Carolina Rixe, a daughter of
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Dietrick Rixe, who was one of the pioneer settlers of Cedar county. She was reared and educated in this county and in Springfield township on the 15th of February, 1895, was married.
Mr. Wendt had previously purchased land and at the time of his marriage took up his abode thereon. As the years passed he not only cultivated the fields but also made the substantial improvements which are regarded as es- sential features of the model farm. He erected a large residence built in the modern style of architecture, also built two good barns, a double crib and a tool house. He put up a wind pump and has plenty of water for all purposes. His fields annually return good crops and in addition to this he makes a spe- cialty of raising hogs. He likewise sells cattle off the pasture and also raises good horses. In addition to his cultivable land he has purchased five acres of timber land.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wendt have been born eight children: Hugo, Ernest, Elma, Herman, Zelma and Lydia, all of whom are yet living; and they have lost two, Fred and Carolina, who died in infancy. The parents hold member- ship in the German Evangelical Lutheran church and in his political views Mr. Wendt is a democrat. He has served on the school board but otherwise has held no public office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his busi- ness affairs. He is a well known farmer of Cedar county and has demon- strated his keen business ability and sagacity. In all business transactions he is thoroughly reliable and enjoys the confidence and esteem of the community in large measure.
HENRY HEINER.
Henry Heiner, an honored citizen of Cedar county, who is now living retired after many years devoted to agricultural pursuits, was born near Cassel, Ger- many, on the 28th of November, 1823, and was reared and educated in his native land, where prior to his emigration to America he served in the army for a time. It was in 1851 that he crossed the broad Atlantic and landed in Baltimore, Maryland, whence he made his way at once to St. Louis, Missouri. There he secured employment as a teamster and was thus employed for about a year. At the end of that time he removed to Red Bud, Illinois, and there purchased a small tract of land, upon which a few improvements had already been made, and to its further development and cultivation he devoted his energies for about five years.
On selling that place Mr. Heiner came to Iowa and purchased one hundred and thirty acres of land in Clinton county, not far from Lowden. Upon the place were a log house and log outbuildings, but as time passed he improved the farm and continued to reside thereon for nine years. When the Northwestern Railroad built their tracks through that section they secured the right of way across his farm and he received orders to move his house, which he did, and in 1861 erected a new frame residence. In 1866 he sold that property, but prior to this time had purchased one hundred and fifty-two acres adjoining it on the south,
HENRY HEINER
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and after selling the former tract in 1866 he bought forty acres adjoining the one hundred and fifty-two on the west in Cedar county. Upon the latter tract was a log house, in which he lived until the following fall, when a more modern and substantial residence was erected, this being a stone structure, comfortable and up-to-date in its appointments. There he made his home until his retirement from farming twenty-eight years ago. He also erected a good substantial barn and other outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock and in the cultivation of his land he met with most excellent success. In 1883, however, he sold the property to his son and now lives retired in Lowden, enjoying a well earned rest.
In 1853 Mr. Heiner was united in marriage to Mrs. Catherine Wensel, nee Weidling, and by that union three children were born, namely : Henry, a Lutheran minister now located in Lincoln, Nebraska; Charles, whose sketch appears on another page of this volume; and 'Anna, who is now the wife of Rev. Peter Speidel, of Buffalo, New York. The mother of these children passed away in 1896, at the age of seventy-three years. Mr. Heiner affiliates with the republican party and is an earnest and consistent member of the Evangelical church, to which his estimable wife also belonged.
ADNA P. ANDRE.
Among the residents of Linn township who devote their time and attention to farming and stock-raising with gratifying success is Adna P. Andre, whose home is on section 3 and who is regarded as one of the leading citizens of his community. One of Cedar county's native sons, he was born in the township where he still resides, November 3, 1855, his parents being Andrew and Nancy (Downing) Andre. His father was born in Pennsylvania, January I, 1829, and was a young man on coming to the west with his father, John Andre, about 1840. Choosing Cedar county as his future home, he purchased land in Linn township and engaged in its operation for many years, owning at the time of his death one hundred and sixty acres of well improved and valuable land. In this county he married Miss Nancy Downing, whose birth occurred in Indiana, November 27, 1831. Her father, Preston Downing, was also a pioneer of Cedar county, having located here about 1841. The father of our subject died on the 29th of October, 1900, and the mother passed away May 14, 1902. They were the parents of five children, three sons and two daughters: Samuel, now a resi- dent of Cedar Rapids; Amos, of Scranton, Greene county, Iowa; Melissa, the wife of John Heneks, a farmer of Linn township, whose sketch appears else- where in this volume; and Lydia, the wife of Clem Heneks of Cedar Rapids.
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