USA > Iowa > Cedar County > A topical history of Cedar County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 44
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It was in 1851 that John Worrall was united in marriage to Elizabeth Jane Berry, who was born in Belmont county, Ohio, September 6, 1829, but was reared and married in Morgan county, that state. She was a daugfihter of Wil- liam and Martha (Pearson) Berry. Her father came to Iowa in 1854 on a prospecting trip, making the journey by way of the river, and here became ill with cholera and died. Unto Mr. and Mrs. John Worrall were born eight chil- dren, namely : Charles, who passed away at the age of twenty-two years; Will- iam, residing in Davenport, Iowa, where he is engaged in civil engineering ; Antrom, who died in childhood; Elizabeth, who became the wife of William Morehead, of West Branch; George, a resident of Kansas City, Missouri;
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Herbert E., of this review; Albert, who was drowned in the Cedar river when twelve years of age; and Hattie, who wedded Jack Boxley of Hobart, Okla- homa.
Herbert E. Worrall, whose name introduces this review, first opened his eyes to the light of day on the 28th of July, 1863, in Iowa township, and the pe- riod of his boyhood and youth was quietly spent on his father's farm amid the busy activities of rural life. During the summer months he assisted his father in the work of the farm, while the winter seasons were devoted to acquiring an education in the country schools near his home. That his early training was thorough and comprehensive, well fitting him for the practical and responsible duties that come with an independent career, is indicated by the prosperity which has attended him since starting out in the business world on his own account. He is now the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and ninety-six acres of land, situated on section 4, Iowa township, which under his careful management and wise direction has been brought under a high state of cultivation. The place is equipped with two sets of buildings and is supplied with all modern conveniences and accessories for facilitating farm labor, the majority of the im- provements being the result of the thrift and energy of its present owner. He has made a close study of agriculture in its various phases and possesses the spirit of enterprise and progress which, directed by keen business sagacity and wise discernment, have been salient elements in winning for him the gratifying degree of prosperity which is today his.
On the 18th of July, 1888, Mr. Worrall was united in marriage to Miss Su- san May Mensch, who was born in Muscatine county, Iowa, on the 3d of Au- gust, 1869, a daughter of John and Mary (Gephart) Mensch. The parents were natives of Pennsylvania and were early settlers of Cedar county, although they now make their home in Hobart, Oklahoma. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Worrall have been born five children, Della, Ruth, Charles, Theodore and Donald.
Having spent his entire life in Cedar county, Mr. Worrall has won a large circle of warm friends, which is almost coextensive with his circle of acquaint- ances. Although his has been the quiet, uneventful life of the farmer, he has, nevertheless, been true to his duties and obligations as a citizen, taking a deep interest in all that pertains to the growth and development of the community, and the high principles of manhood which have ever governed his dealings with his fellowmen have won for him the unqualified respect, confidence and good- will of all with whom he has come in contact.
CHARLES N. AGNE.
The citizenship of Cedar county, Iowa, is largely composed of those who either had their nativity in the fatherland or trace their ancestry to German origin, and prominent among the latter class is numbered Charles N. Agne. He was born on a farm a quarter of a mile south of Buchanan, in Cass township, Cedar county, on the Ist of April, 1854, a son of Nicholas and Mary Magdaline (Laubscher) Agne, both natives of Bavaria, Germany. The Agne, Laubscher
MR. AND MRS. CHARLES N. AGNE
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and Pfaff families were all neighbors in Germany and together emigrated to the United States, first locating in Ohio and later, in 1845, becoming residents of Cass township, this county, where they cast in their lots with the early settlers and assisted in the work of reclaiming the wild prairie lands for purposes of civilization.
Nicholas Agne was a young man of twenty-five years when he arrived in Ohio and was there married. Two years later he took up his abode in Cass township, Cedar county, where he continued to make his permanent home throughout his remaining years. In 1849, however, at the time of the gold excitement in California, he made the overland trip with ox-team and remained, on the Pacific coast for two years. Returning by way of the isthmus route, he located on a half section of land in Cass township, and was there engaged in agricultural pursuits until his demise, which occurred on the 25th of June, 1884. His wife, who was born on the 30th of March, 1816, was eighteen years of age when, in 1834, she accompanied her parents to the new world, the family home being established near Canton, Darke county, Ohio. There she was united in marriage in 1839 to Nicholas Agne, and unto this union were born seven chil- dren, as follows: Jacob, deceased; Lena, the wife of Sam Kauffman, of Tip- ton; Henry, residing in Tipton; Charles N., of this review; William, making his home in Mount Vernon; Josephine, the deceased wife of Jacob Seitzsinger ; and Emma, who wedded R. P. Stout, of Milford, Missouri. The mother was called to her final rest on the 23d of November, 1900, when she had reached the ad- vanced age of eighty-four years.
Charles N. Agne remained under the parental roof until the time of his mar- riage, when he established his home on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, constituting a part of his present place, but he has since added forty acres, so that he now owns two hundred acres in one body, located on section 24, Cass township. The place is well named the Prairie View Stock Farm, for in the pastures are found fine grades of horses, Mr. Agne making a specialty of raising Shire horses. A portion of the land is devoted to general farming and he takes great pride in making his farm attractive in appearance. In addition to this farm he likewise owns three hundred and six acres in Hartley county, Texas.
Mr. Agne was married in 1884 to Miss Margaret D. Blattler, who was born in Johnson county, Iowa, April 23, 1862. Her parents, L. F. and Margaret (Fankhauser) Blattler, were natives of Switzerland and Ohio respectively, but the mother was of Swiss parentage. The father was brought to the United States by his parents during his infancy, their home being established in Ohio, where he was reared. He was married in the Buckeye state to Miss Fankhauser, in the year 1849. They eventually removed to Johnson county, Iowa, in 1855, but after a few years came to Cedar county and Mr. Blattler engaged in farming in Cass township until his death, which occurred December 7, 1892. The mother sur- vived for several years and died October 5, 1903. In their family were nine children : Edward, who died in 1907; Emma, who died when twenty-one years old; Norman, who died in childhood; Abigail, the wife of John Baldwin, of Mount Vernon; Homer, a resident of Solon, Iowa; Margaret, now Mrs. Agne; Arthur, who resides in New Mexico; Charles, of White Lake, South Dakota;
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and Mary, twin sister of Charles, who died at the age of five years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Agne has been born one son, Glen L., whose birth occurred on the farm May 31, 1885, and he now manages the place. He is a graduate of the Agri- cultural College at Ames.
Mr. Agne is a democrat in politics but at local elections votes independently. In former years he led a very active and useful life, but his persistent efforts have brought him a goodly competence and he is now able to spend much of his time in leisure, leaving the management of his farm to his son, who is an enter- prising young man. The family is highly esteemed in the community which has so long been their home.
W. H. PHELPS.
That the life history of W. H. Phelps is a record of success is due to the persistent effort and intelligently directed industry which he displayed through the many years of his connection with the agricultural interests of Cedar county. One of Ohio's native sons, he was born in Salem on the 16th of No- vember, 1845, a son of Henry and Phoebe (Knowles) Phelps, the former born in England and the latter in Ohio. They were married in the latter state and came to Iowa in the spring of 1850, the father here engaging in the occupation of farming until the opening of hostilities between the north and south, when he enlisted for service in the Union army as a member of the Thirty-fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. It was while on active duty that he met his death in St. Louis in 1862, laying down his life on the altar of his country. His wife passed away in Cedar county. In their family were seven children, who were as follows: W. H., of this review; Rhoda, the deceased wife of Rev. Miller ; David, who has also passed away, leaving a family; Sarah, the wife of William Mills, of Ohio; Susan, residing in Chicago; Joseph, making his home in Downey, Cedar county; and Lydia, who passed away in childhood.
A little lad of five years when he came with his parents to Iowa, W. H. Phelps has therefore spent the greater part of his life in this state, and since that time, with the exception of ten years spent in Jones county, he has been a resident of Cedar county, with whose agricultural interests he has been closely identified for many years. In the district schools near his father's home he acquired his education and in the broader school of experience learned many lessons concerning the value of industry, perseverance and integrity. Reared to farming, he wisely chose that as his occupation when, upon attain- ing his majority, he entered the business world on his own account. His be- ginning was a small one but having early learned the lesson that success must be purchased at the price of earnest, well defined labor, he diligently applied himself and with the passing years his efforts have been crowned with sub- stantial success. For about thirty years he has resided upon his present farm, consisting of over three hundred acres located on section 33, Iowa township, all highly cultivated and equipped with the latest improvements for facilitating
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farm labor, while everything about the place indicates that he is in touch with the modern spirit of progress which is manifest in agricultural lines.
It was in 1865 that Mr. Phelps was united in marriage to Miss Susan Long, a native of Iowa township, where she was born in 1845, and a daughter of W. C. and Elizabeth (Cobert) Long. Unto this union have been born seven children, as follows: Gilbert H., at home; Stewart, a resident of Iowa town- ship; Luther, also making his home with his parents; Augusta, the wife of Foster Maxon, of Iowa township; Alice, who wedded Harvey Horld, residing near Lone Tree, Iowa; and John and Orpha, yet under the parental roof.
Deeply interested in political affairs, Mr. Phelps has for many years been an active worker in the republican ranks, deeming the principles of that organi- zation most conducive to good government. He has represented his party as a delegate at numerous county and state conventions and his fellow citizens, recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to various township offices. He has for about fifteen years served as one of the township trustees, is now justice of the peace, which office he has filled for several terms, and is also one of the township committeemen. His appreciation of the responsibilities that have rested upon him in connection with public office and his promptness and faithfulness in the discharge of all duties in connection therewith, have made him a most acceptable incumbent, his services not only bringing credit to himself but honor to his constituents. Ever loyal to the best interests of Cedar county, he has always been found on the side of improvement, advance- ment, reform and progress, and these qualities have constituted him a most valuable citizen in the community where he has so long resided.
FRANK W. LEECH.
The management of business affairs in an effort to attain success largely constitutes life. The intelligent direction of effort forms the basis of success, and energy and perseverance more than assistance and favorable opportunity are the salient and indispensable elements of progress and prosperity. Recog- nizing these facts, Frank W. Leech has so labored that he has come to be widely known as a leading stock dealer and shipper of Cedar county, conduct- ing his operations in Mechanicsville, where he has made his home for several years.
He was born in Cedar county, Iowa, May 1, 1861. His father, James Leech, was born in Maryland in 1815 and spent his youthful days in that state, after which he removed to Clarion county, Pennsylvania, where he subsequently met and married Miss Keziah Reid, a native of the Keystone state. Mr. Leech was a cooper by trade, as was his father before him, and in early manhood followed that pursuit in support of his family, which included four children ere his removal to the west. In 1856 he sought a home in Iowa, driving across the country with a team. It was in October that the family bade adieu to neigh- bors and friends and started on the long journey which could now be accom- plished in fewer hours than it then required days. They came direct to this
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county, influenced in their choice of a location by the fact that they had friends here. Mr. Leech purchased eighty acres of timber land, cleared away the trees, grubbed up the stumps, turned the furrows, planted the seeds and in due course of time gathered his harvests. He found the soil rich and productive so that good crops were garnered and in due course of time he bought more land until he became the owner of two hundred acres in Pioneer township. Upon the farm which he there developed and improved he reared his family and made his home until called to his final rest, his death occurring in 1892 when he was seventy-eight years of age. He had long survived his wife, who passed away in 1863. They had four children who reached mature years : William M., who was married and died in 1885; R. R., a well known and capable lawyer of Tipton; F. W., of this review; and Ella M., who became the wife of W. S. Strickland and died in 1889.
Frank W. Leech was reared on the home farm. The picture of his boy- hood environment and experiences is not unlike that of most farm boys. With zest he entered into the pleasures of youth and received his training in farm- ing in the fields of the old homestead. Following his father's death he took charge of and carried on the farm and business and eventually succeeded to the ownership of the property. He completed his arrangements for having a home of his own by his marriage, on the 29th of September, 1891, in Mechan- icsville, to Miss Ida J. Brown, who was born and reared in this county and is a daughter of James Brown, who was one of the native sons of the county and a representative of one of the oldest families. He met death by accident here in the fall of 1909.
Following his marriage Mr. Leech carried on farming for a number of years but in 1897 rented his land and removed to Mechanicsville, where he turned his attention to the hardware business, in which he engaged for six years. He then sold out and two years later became actively interested in the live-stock business, since which time he has made a specialty of buying, feed- ing and selling live stock, handling from one hundred and fifty to two hundred carloads annually. He is conducting an extensive business and, being an ex- cellent judge of stock, knows where to place his investments and how to con- duct his sales so that an honorable and gratifying profit is secured. He was one of the promoters and the largest stockholder of the Mechanicsville Sav- ings Bank and has erected several residences in the city, thus contributing to the substantial improvement and adornment of the place.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Leech has been blessed with one daughter, Ruth, who was graduated from high school with the class of 1910. The par- ents are well known socially and their hospitable home is a favorite resort with their many friends. Mr. Leech votes with the democracy, which finds in him an earnest advocate of its principles. He served on the town board, was town- ship school treasurer for several years and has been a delegate to county, state and congressional conventions. As every true American citizen should do, he keeps well informed on the vital questions and issues of the day and sup- ports by his ballot the political principles which he deems most conducive to good government. His wife and daughter are members of the Methodist Epis- copal church, while Mr. Leech belongs to the Odd Fellows, with which he
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has been identified from the age of twenty-one years. He has served through all of the chairs of the local lodge, has been noble grand for three terms and was secretary for one year. He also served as district deputy for two terms and has several times represented the local organizaton in the grand lodge. He likewise belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp, and he and his wife are identified with the Rebekah lodge in which Mrs. Leech has filled all of the chairs. Both have a, wide acquaintance in Tipton and throughout Cedar, Jones and adjoining counties. Along the legitimate lines of trade and commerce he has won prosperity, and his life record proves that success is ambition's answer.
HENRY C. BRENDES.
Henry C. Brendes enjoys an enviable reputation as a prosperous and pro- gressive farmer and stock-raiser of Springfield township, owning two hundred and one acres of valuable land on section 22. His birth occurred in Scott county, Iowa, on the 2d of November, 1866, his parents being Henry and Mag- gie (Kelling) Brendes. The father, who was born in Hanover, Germany, on the 20th of October, 1826, was married in 1856. In the fall of the preceding year he emigrated to the United States, first locating in Davenport, Iowa. There he secured employment on the railroad and later worked as a farm hand for sev- eral years. Subsequently he spent a short time in the western part of Iowa and on returning to Scott county purchased eighty acres of land, devoting his attention to its cultivation until 1881, when he disposed of the property and came to Cedar county. Here he bought eighty acres of land and carried on general agricultural pursuits continuously and successfully until the time of his retirement. He now makes his home in Springfield township with their daugh- ter, Mrs. C. F. W. Kleppe. His wife passed to her final rest August 4, 1910. He is a member of the Lutheran church at Lowden, to which his wife also be- longed, and exemplifies its teachings in his daily life. Henry Brendes gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has served his fellow townsmen in the capacity of road supervisor, while for many years he also acted as a school director. Unto him and his wife were born ten children, namely: Geor- giana; Louisa; Paulina; Maggie; Minnie; Henry C., of this review; Tillie; Lena ; Nellie, who is deceased; and Katie.
Henry C. Brendes pursued his education in the district schools of Scott and Cedar counties and after putting aside his text-books assisted his father in the operation of the home farm. Subsequently he operated a rented farm of two hundred acres in Springfield township for two years and then rented a quarter section of land from his brother-in-law for five years. On the expiration of that period he bought his present place of two hundred and one acres on section 22, Springfield township, and the further cultivation and improvement of that property has claimed his attention continuously since. He has erected a new residence, a substantial barn and good outbuildings, and the neat and thrifty appearance of his farm indicates the supervision of a practical and progressive
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owner. In connection with the cultivation of cereals he handles stock to some extent, raising graded stock exclusively.
On the 22d of February, 1893, at Lowden, Mr. Brendes was united in mar- riage to Miss Sophia Miller, a daughter of Louis and Doris (Rixe) Miller, both of whom are deceased. Their home has been blessed with seven children, as follows: Otto, who was born on the 21st of August, 1894; Martha, whose natal day was September 8, 1896; Amanda, whose birth occurred December 25, 1898; Walter, born March 20, 1900; Henry, August 10, 1902; Elmer, July 17, 1904; and Norma, August 4, 1907.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Brendes has given his political allegiance to the republican party, believing that its principles are most conducive to good government. He is at present serving in the capacity of school director. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Evangelical church at Lowden. His entire life has been spent in this part of the state and he enjoys a wide and favorable acquaintance here.
SIMON NICHOLAS MONK.
Simon Nicholas Monk, who since 1903 has lived in honorable retirement at Tipton, devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career, owning and operating a quarter section of rich and pro- ductive land in Fairfield township. His birth occurred in Oxford county, On- tario, on the 7th of October, 1841, his parents being Nicholas and Katharine (Moyer) Monk, both of whom were natives of New York. The paternal grand- father, John Monk, who was a native of Holland and came to America in colonial times, served as an artilleryman during the entire period of the Revolutionary war. The maternal grandparents of our subject were of German birth. The parents of Simon N. Monk were reared and married in the Empire state and subsequently removed to Ontario, where they spent the remainder of their lives on a farm. Their children were fourteen in number, eleven of whom grew to maturity, while four sons and three daughters still survive.
Simon Nicholas Monk, who was the youngest of his father's family, spent the first twenty-five years of his life in the place of his nativity and then came to Cedar county, Iowa, arriving here on the 28th of February, 1866. He pur- chased and located upon a farm of one hundred and sixty acres four miles east of Tipton in Fairfield township, and there carried on his agricultural interests with excellent success for many years, operating the place until January, 1903, when he disposed of the property. Since that time he has lived retired in Tipton, residing in an attractive dwelling at the corner of Fifth and Orange streets, which he purchased one year after his arrival in this town. He built the substantial and commodious residence which stood on his farm. His intelli- gently directed and untiring labors as an agriculturist were rewarded with a gratifying measure of prosperity, and he is therefore enabled to spend his de- clining years in the enjoyment of well earned rest.
MR. AND MRS. SIMON N. MONK
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On the 23d of January, 1863, Mr. Monk was united in marriage to Miss Frances Ann Ingram, who was born in Oxford county, Ontario, on the 4th of August, 1842. Her parents, Robert and Rosanna (Siple) Ingram, were natives of Ireland and Ontario respectively. The father, who was twice married, had three sons by his first wife and eleven children by his second. His demise occurred in Ontario, while the mother of Mrs. Monk passed away at her home in Tipton. Mrs. Monk passed away on Sunday, May 15, 1910, and her death was widely and deeply mourned. When a little girl of eleven years she was con- verted and united with the Methodist Episcopal church and was ever afterward a devoted and faithful Christian. On the 28th of February, 1866, she came to Iowa with her husband and they purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land at York Prairie, paying twelve dollars per acre. A true companion and help- mate to her husband, she aided him in every possible way and her upright life gained her the love and esteem of those with whom she came in contact. For a number of years she taught in the Sunday school at York Prairie and was presi- dent of the missionary society. She was one of a family of eleven children, but only three are now living, namely: Mrs. Alesworth, of Tipton ; Mrs. Franco, of Bennett; and Fred Ingram, of Tama, Iowa.
Mr. and Mrs. Monk became the parents of three children. John Frederick, living at Fort Dodge, owns a half interest in Tobin College, a commercial school which he founded eighteen years ago in association with a partner. Emma Elizabeth is the wife of Dr. Charles J. Snitkay, a homeopathic physician of Belle Plaine, Iowa. Edith Rosanna gave her hand in marriage to Alfred F. Reeder, of Tipton. Mr. Monk now has nine grandchildren.
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