USA > Iowa > Cedar County > A topical history of Cedar County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 46
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Mr. Schmidt is a democrat in politics and is now ably serving in the capac- ity of constable. Both he and his wife belong to the Evangelical church at Lowden and take a deep and helpful interest in its work. His entire life has been spent in Cedar county and he is well entitled to a place among its pro- gressive and representative citizens.
CHARLES E. RHOADS.
A well improved and valuable farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 36, Pioneer township, annually pays tribute in golden harvests to the care and labor which is bestowed upon it by Charles E. Rhoads, a progressive and enterprising farmer and stock-raiser. The property is situated within three and a half miles of Mechanicsville and in its neat and thrifty appearance indicates the supervision of a practical and up-to-date owner.
His birth occurred on the farm where he now resides, his natal day being January 23, 1864. He obtained his education in the common schools and re- mained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority. Following his marriage he purchased and located upon eighty acres of his present place and gave his attention to its further cultivation and improvement. He has since erected a large, attractive and modern residence, two good barns, a double corn crib, a machine house and in fact all necessary outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock. He uses the latest improved machinery to fa-
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cilitate the work of the fields and in connection with the tilling of the soil devotes considerable attention to the raising and feeding of high grade stock. He fattens about two carloads of hogs and one carload of cattle annually and also buys steers for feeding purposes. The boundaries of his farm have been extended to include a quarter section of land by the additional purchase of a tract of eighty acres. He is a stockholder in the Mechanicsville Telephone Company and has long been numbered among the substantial, respected and representative citizens of his native county.
On the 18th of March, 1894, in Linn township, Mr. Rhoads was united in marriage to Miss Ida Statler, a native of this county and a daughter of Chris- topher Statler. Her brother, G. C. Statler, is mentioned on another page of this work. Unto our subject and his wife have been born three sons, namely : Forest, Frank and Howard.
Mr. Rhoads has always been a stanch republican in politics but has never sought nor desired office as a reward for his party fealty. The cause of edu- cation, however, has ever found in him a stanch advocate and supporter. Both he and his wife have spent their entire lives in Cedar county and enjoy an ex- tensive acquaintance within its borders. A successful agriculturist, an exem- plary citizen and a man of high moral standards, he has won the respect of all who have come in contact with him.
LOUIS STRACKBEIN.
That the life history of Louis Strackbein is a record of success is due to the persistent effort and intelligently directed industry which he has displayed through the many years of his connection with agricultural interests of Springfield town- ship. Prussia, Germany, is the place of his nativity, his birth occurring on the 12th of February, 1841. His parents, Franz and Magdalena Strackbein, both passed away in the fatherland, and our subject and his brother George, also of Springfield township, are the only members of the family now living.
In the common schools of his native land Louis Strackbein acquired his education and when old enough began learning the mason's trade. He followed that occupation for a number of years, and then, when war broke out between Germany and Denmark, he served for three years in the German army. Again, in 1870, he saw active service in the Franco-Prussian war, and, although not seriously wounded himself, he was compelled to witness the fall of his comrades on every side of him. He fought for a year as a soldier in that war and then, deciding to escape further service in the German army, he came to the United States in 1871 and has since continued to make his home in this country.
Mr. Strackbein made his way to Cedar county, Iowa, and here, besides working at the mason's trade, he also became identified with agricultural pursuits as a farm hand, being employed by the month. By nature ambitious, he also possessed those sturdy qualities of industry, determination and frugality which are usually attributed to the German race, and he was not long in catching the spirit of progress which is one of the dominant traits of the people of this country. The
MR. AND MRS. LOUIS STRACKBEIN
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combination of these excellent traits made his efforts effective forces in his struggle for success, and that they were resultant is indicated by the fact that by the year 1879 he had accumulated sufficient capital to invest in a farm, becoming the owner of his present property, consisting of eighty acres on section 3, Spring- field township. It was but slightly improved when it came into his possession, but he immediately set about its further development and as time went by the results of his labor became more and more apparent, until today it is one of the well improved and valuable properties of the locality. The fields have been brought under a high state of cultivation and he has erected a good frame house and large, substantial barns and outbuildings, while he uses up-to-date machinery to facilitate the work of the farm. The place is neat and attractive in appear- ance, and everything about it indicates that he is in touch with the modern spirit of progress which is manifest in agricultural lines. He carries on general farming and is meeting with most gratifying success, being numbered among the substantial and representative agriculturists of his part of the township.
It was in Cedar county, in 1877, that Mr. Strackbein was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Jane Anderson, a native of this county, and they became the parents of nine children, as follows: Louis, who is married and lives in Clarence, Iowa ; Anna, the wife of William Niermier, of Springfield township; and Henry, George, Fred, John, Dena, Charles and Frances. They also have adopted a little girl, Freda, who is the daughter of a sister of Mrs. Strackbein and is now a year and a half old.
The members of the household belong to the Evangelical church, in the work of which they are deeply interested, and are well known and highly esteemed in the community in which their home has been maintained for so many years. For twenty years Mr. Strackbein voted with the republican party, but he now gives his support to the democracy, although the honors or emoluments of office have had no attraction for him. He prefers to live his life quietly on the farm, concentrating his attention upon the conduct of his own personal affairs, and he feels today that he has never had occasion to regret his decision to take up his home in this country, where competition is stranger but where at the same time opportunity for advancement is greater, and where prosperity waits upon ambition and determination and crowns efforts well directed and labor intelligently applied.
JOSEPH NORING.
From many and various sources came those who now make up the popu- lation of Iowa, but none, however, have brought more substantial qualities or proved more loyal citizens than those who have come from or trace their lin- eage to the fatherland. Joseph Noring is one of Germany's contributions to the citizenship of this great commonwealth, his birth occurring near Mul- hausen in that country, May 16, 1854. His parents, Joachim and Anna (Kaiser) Noring, who were also natives of that village, have both passed away. The former, who was born November 5, 1824, thinking to find greater business opportunities for himself and better advantages for his children in the new
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world, crossed the Atlantic in 1864, landing in Castle Garden, New York, on the 26th of October. He did not tarry on the eastern coast but made his way at once to Iowa, arriving in Davenport on the 3d of November of that year. The family made their home in that city until February, 1865, when they came to Cedar county and located on the farm in Iowa township which has since been the home of our subject. Ere leaving the fatherland Mr. Noring was married three times. His first wife, who in her maidenhood was Anna Kaiser, passed away in December, 1858, leaving beside her husband her two children: Dorothea, who was married in 1876 and passed away in the following year in Germany; and Joseph, of this review. Following the death of his first wife Mr. Noring wedded Margaret Hucke, who also died in Germany, and for his third wife he chose Katharine Hucke, a sister of his former wife, whose death occurred in Cedar county in 1894. By his second marriage he had three chil- dren, namely: Edmond, residing in Kelley, Iowa; Mrs. Caroline Anderson, of West Liberty ; and Mrs. Margaret Strause, who makes her home in Burlington, Iowa. After many years devoted to agricultural pursuits Joachim Noring re- tired from active life, and two years prior to his death took up his home in Muscatine, where he passed away on the 7th of April, 1884.
Joseph Noring was a young lad when, with his father and stepmother, he crossed the Atlantic to the new world, but he still retains pleasant memories of his native land, where the first ten years of his life were spent. His educa- tion, which had been begun in Germany, was completed in the country schools of Iowa, and, although his opportunities were somewhat limited in early life, by broad and comprehensive reading he has since acquired a general knowledge the extent of which ranks him among the best informed men of the locality in which he resides. Nor was his practical training neglected during the period of his boyhood and youth, for he was early given work to do upon the home farm, his tasks becoming heavier and more important with the passing years, and so, in the broader school of experience, he learned valuable lessons which well prepared him for the responsible and practical duties that devolved upon him when he entered the business world on his own account. Wisely choosing the occupation to which he had been reared, he made agriculture his life work and with the passing years his efforts in this direction have been rewarded with substantial success. He has continuously lived upon the old homestead farm, which he has operated independently since the death of his father. This con- sists of one hundred and twenty acres located on section 30, Iowa township, and he also owns another tract of one hundred and twenty acres on section 17, which he rents, and twenty-five acres of timber land on section II. His entire attention, however, is given to the operation of the home farm, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation, and in addition to general farm- ing he also engages in stock-raising, which is proving an important feature in his business interests. A man of good business ability, he has learned the secret that success lies in indefatigable energy, close application, wise manage- ment and progressive methods, and these qualities have been salient elements in the attainment of the gratifying degree of prosperity which is today his.
On the 5th of January, 1882, Mr. Noring was united in marriage to Miss Helena Gall, a native of Muscatine county, where her birth occurred March
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4, 1860, and a daughter of John and Catharine Gall. The parents, who were born in Germany, came to America in the early '50s, and here both passed away, their deaths occurring in Cedar county, Iowa. In their family were two daugh- ters and three sons. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Noring were born the following chil- dren: Blanche, who is the wife of William Bagel, of Iowa township; Ella, Harry and Carlton, all at home; two who passed away in infancy; and Cath- arine, whose death occurred at the age of twenty-two years.
Although the conduct of his personal interests has demanded much of Mr. Noring's attention, yet he has ever found time for the performance of those things which are at once a duty and a privilege to the loyal American citizen, and although of foreign birth Cedar county has no more faithful representa- tive than this adopted son. A stalwart republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, he has taken an active and helpful interest in the growth of that party in the community, and, a stanch champion of the cause of education, he served for two years as president of the school board of inde- pendent district No. 9. He is a man of broad and comprehensive general knowledge, his opinions being largely accepted as authority among his fellow- men. Endowed by nature with a remarkable memory, he has a most unusual capacity for remembering dates.
CHARLES H. HARTZ.
Among the farmers of the younger generation who have attained a high re- pute in Cedar county, one of the richest agricultural regions of the state, if not of the whole country, is Charles H. Hartz. Although Mr. Hartz is not a pio- neer, he has all the courage and perseverance of the hardy adventurers that won from the wilderness the beautiful farms that now cover the entire state, and thus gained our enduring gratitude.
Mr. Hartz was born on a farm in Farmington township, this county, June II, 1873, and here he has spent his entire life. He is a son of Marx Henry and Mary (Stoerterau) Hartz, a record of whom is found elsewhere in this work. He was reared under the inestimable advantages of a happy home, which is of more value to any young person than all the education that can be acquired from books. He attended the district schools and assisted in the various operations upon the farm until his marriage. During this time he became thoroughly ac- quainted not only with the details pertaining to agriculture but also with the breeding and raising of live stock, in which for years he has shown a deep in- terest. He is now living upon a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, pro- vided with a comfortable modern residence and commodious barns, this farm being part of his father's estate. Up to the present time he has devoted his at- tention mainly to general farming but he is now laying the foundation of a reg- istered herd and preparing to engage somewhat extensively in the breeding of fine cattle. Judging by his success as a farmer, there is little doubt that he will in years to come be known as the owner of one of the choicest herds of fine stock in this county.
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On February 15, 1908, Mr. Hartz was united in marriage to Miss Amelia Petersen, who was born in this county and is a daughter of William Petersen, a well known farmer of Farmington township. Mrs. Hartz has been indeed a helpmeet to her husband, attending with care to the duties of the household, while he has directed operations on the farm. They have one child, Alice, born August 14, 1909.
Mr. Hartz is identified with the republican party and has always shown the interest of a patriotic citizen in voting for the men and measures which he regards as most important for the welfare of the country. He is an active and progressive citizen and is in sympathy with all movements that aim to improve the character of the individual or to elevate the standard of society. Mr. Hartz is happy in the work which he has chosen and is a good ex- ample of an American citizen, actuated by worthy ideals which he has success- fully applied ever since he entered upon his active career.
JOHN PFAFF.
John Pfaff is the owner of a valuable farm of two hundred acres in Cass township but makes his home in Tipton, having retired from the active operation and management of the place. It was upon that farm that he was born Octo- ber 10, 1855, his parents being Abraham and Susan (Laubscher) Pfaff, both of whom were natives of Germany. Prior to his marriage the father crossed the Atlantic to Boston, Massachusetts, later became a resident of Pennsylvania and subsequently went to Ohio. He was married while still in the east and in the '40s removed from Ohio to Cedar county, Iowa, where both he and his wife spent their remaining days upon the farm where the birth of their son John oc- curred. The father died March 12, 1885, when about sixty-nine years of age, having long survived his wife who passed away on the 10th of November, 1867, when forty-six years of age.
Abraham Pfaff was the owner of three hundred acres of valuable and pro- ductive land at the time of his death. In early life he had learned and followed the butcher's trade, giving to it his attention until he came to Iowa, when he began farming and found it a profitable source of income. He was a well read man and kept in touch with the leading events and questions of the day. He gave his political support to the democratic party, did all in his power to pro- mote its success and held a number of township offices, the duties of which he discharged with promptness and fidelity. He held membership in the German Reformed church and in all life's relations was true to the standards of indi- vidual worth and high citizenship. Moreover, he was a self-made man, for when he came to this county his financial resources were very limited. Eventu- ally he worked his way upward, however, his energy and diligence enabling him to gain a substantial measure of success.
His family numbered nine children: William, who died October 10, 1867; Lena, the wife of Thomas Henry Hughey of Lebanon, Iowa; Abraham, a resi- dent of Tipton; Peter, who died in Tipton, May 20, 1909, leaving a widow and
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one daughter; Carrie, living in Cass township with her sister; Charles, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume; John, of this review; Anna Amelia, the wife of Fred Kohl of Lisbon; and Susan, the wife of C. A. Dodds of Cass town- ship.
Upon the home farm where he was born and reared John Pfaff continued to reside until he took up his abode in Tipton in 1904. He always carried on general agricultural pursuits, owning and cultivating two hundred acres of land on section 7, Cass township, from which he yet derives a substantial rental. The place is well improved with good buildings and under his supervision the fields were brought under a high state of cultivation so that he annually gath- ered therefrom rich crops.
In 1886, Mr. Pfaff was united in marriage to Miss Fanny Smith, who was born in Warren county, Illinois, near Gerlaw, in 1863 and is a daughter of Ryan G. and Elizabeth (Buch) Smith, both of whom were natives of Ohio, whence they removed to Warren county, Illinois, in their childhood days, remaining residents of that state until called to their final rest.
In his political views Mr. Pfaff is a democrat and, as every American citizen should do, keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He has served as trustee of Cass township and resigned that position at the time of his removal to Tipton. He owns a good home in the city, which he purchased when he left the farm. His life has been well spent, and his has been an active and useful career, bringing him a substantial reward for his labor, so that he is now enabled to rest from further business and yet enjoy the comforts and some of the luxuries of life.
CHARLES E. KROEMER.
Charles E. Kroemer needs no introduction to the readers of this volume, for during thirty-eight years he has made his home in Cedar county. This covers the entire period of his lifetime. He was born in Massillon township, May 8, 1872, was reared to farm life, and since attaining his majority has given his attention to general agricultural pursuits. As the family name indicates, he is of German lineage. His father, Carl Kroemer, was born in Prussia, Germany, where his youthful days were spent and, having arrived at years of maturity, he married Sophia Binkmann, also born in Prussia. Following their emigration to the new world they became residents of Cedar county, Iowa, in 1869, settling in Massillon township, where Carl Kroemer opened up the farm upon which he reared his family. In 1908 he lost his wife and now makes his home with his son, Charles E.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for Charles E. Kroemer in his boyhood and youth. His time was divided between the schoolroom and playground and the farm work, study and play alternating. He attended a German school at Lowden for a time and after putting aside his text-books devoted his entire attention to the work of the old homestead until he had attained his majority. Soon afterward he was mar-
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ried on the 17th of May, 1894, to Miss Dorothea Kruckenberg, who was born and reared here. After their marriage they located where they now reside, upon a tract adjacent to the old homestead, and as his financial resources have increased, Mr. Kroemer has increased his holdings until he is now the owner of two hundred and ten acres, situated on section 28, Massillon township. The equipment and accessories of a model farm are here to be found and the place constitutes one of the attractive features of the landscape. Mr. Kroemer has recently completed a commodious three-story residence, which is one of the fine country homes of the district, and he also has a large barn on the place. Everything is in keeping with the spirit of progress and enterprise which has dominated his life since he started out for himself. Annually he harvests good crops and also feeds cattle, which he sells off the pasture. He likewise makes a specialty of feeding and fattening Poland China hogs and sells a large num- ber each year, his stock-raising interests constituting a profitable feature of his business.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kroemer have been born six children: Gerhardt and Gertrude, twins, Arthur, Alice and Herbert, all still living, but they lost an infant son, their first born. Mr. and Mrs. Kroemer hold membership in the German Lutheran church of Lowden and are interested in the moral progress. of the community.
As a stalwart republican, Mr. Kroemer has given unfaltering support to the men and measures of the party and has held some local offices, serving for two years as assessor of Massillon township, while for eight years he has been a member of the school board and the cause of education finds in him an earnest champion. In all public affairs as in private life he is practical and progressive, accomplishing what he undertakes. His are the sterling qualities of honorable and upright manhood, and it is thus that he has come to be known as one of the representative and worthy citizens of the locality in which he makes his home.
MILLER BROTHERS.
The Miller Brothers-John Harlan, Harry and Arthur-are well known farmers, stock-raisers and feeders of Dayton township, their landed possessions embracing five hundred and sixty acres in the same place, of which eighty acres lie across the boundary line between Cedar and Jones counties, while the re- mainder is situated in Dayton township. In addition to this they also own an- other farm in Jones county, comprising three hundred and thirty acres, near Anamosa, and a third tract of two hundred acres near Olin in Jones county, so that they now have nearly twelve hundred acres in three well improved farms.
These brothers are native sons of Cedar county and were born on the old homestead. The birth of John Harlan Miller occurred August 27, 1870, while Harry Miller was born January 23, 1873, and Arthur Miller, June 25, 1876. They also have a sister Luella, who is the wife of Clyde Jackson of Stanwood, Iowa. Their father, Hon. Thomas B. Miller, was born June 9, 1841, in Holmes
THOMAS B. MILLER
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county, Ohio, and was there reared and educated. At the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted in response to his country's call for troops and served for three years and three months in defense of the Union, being honorably discharged at the close of the war. He then returned to Holmes county and was afterward married there December 28, 1867, to Miss Letitia Korn, who was born and reared in Holmes county, Ohio.
In the spring of 1866 Thomas B. Miller came to Iowa and settled in Cedar county on land which his father had previously entered from the government. Here he and his brother broke the sod and opened up a farm. Later Thomas B. Miller bought more land from time to time until he owned four hundred acres in his home place. In the midst of that tract he erected a large and attractive residence and in the rear put up good barns and convenient outbuildings that furnished ample shelter for grain and stock. He developed a neat and well improved farm, upon which he lived until 1882 when he rented this place and removed to South Dakota, where he took up a claim for one hundred and sixty acres. He then engaged in the livery business for a few years and in 1886 returned to Cedar county, settling upon the old home farm. He removed to Stanwood in 1899, where his last days were spent, his death occurring September 5, 1907. His widow still survives him and makes her home in Stanwood.
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