A topical history of Cedar County, Iowa, Volume II, Part 48

Author: Aurner, Clarence Ray; Clarke (S. J.) publishing co., Chicago
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke
Number of Pages: 974

USA > Iowa > Cedar County > A topical history of Cedar County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 48

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

soon as old enough began to assist in the work of the farm. He wner of four hundred and twenty acres of very productive and all in Gower township with the exception of forty acres which is On Tues line in Cass township. Besides the cultivation of this place he one hundred and twenty acres belonging to his mother. He also Fifty complete room il store in Plato, Gower township, which he has employed a man o display furniture in or the past four years.

etting-feature. the Mr. Howard was united in marriage to Miss Frances Moore, who

ers Store for Hon pens at noon Tuesda Gower township in 1873, a daughter of Thomas Moore, and they The eight floors e the parents of seven children, namely : Ernest, Eunice, Bernice, and home furnishisell, Mabel and Rachel. Mr. Howard is one of the leading citizens open, for exhibitimunity, taking an active and influential part in public affairs, and his persons as guides ways be counted upon to further any movement which he believes only, until 9 p. m. will go on sale w to prove of public benefit.

This is one of t! ure openings in + before the war, ; am Friedma manager. S

FRED KAMPMANN.

The remod well improved farm of two hundred acres on sections 3 and 10, Spring- building-for township, is the property of Fred Kampmann, whose labors as an agri- building-is1 connected Furist have been rewarded with a gratifying measure of success. His birth main storeurred in Hanover, Germany, on the 3d of September, 1857, his parents Old-faing Henry and Wilhelmina Kampmann, who passed away in that country. displays given whe family was in limited financial circumstances and at the early age of nine furnishears our subject was obliged to leave home and provide for his own support. an actWhen a youth of fifteen he crossed the Atlantic to the United States in com- Th the pany with Mrs. Henry Rixe, who was at that time visiting the fatherland and who afterward became his mother-in-law.

Coming direct to Springfield township, Cedar county, Iowa, Mr. Kamp- mann worked for the Rixe family for one year and was later employed by Fred Conrad for five years. He next spent a similar period in the service of Henry Conrad, was then married and during the following twelve years again worked for Fred Conrad. By dint of untiring industry and close economy he accumulated the capital which in 1900 enabled him to purchase his present farm of two hundred acres on sections 3 and 10, Springfield township, to the fur- ther cultivation and improvement of which he has devoted his time and ener-

580

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

Wesley E. Brink was reared upon the old homestead farm and acquired his education in the common schools. Throughout the period of his youth he as- sisted his father in the cultivation of the fields when not busy with the duties of the schoolroom. On the 9th of April, 1881, in Massillon township, he married Miss Amanda S. Davis, who was born in Plano, Illinois, and came to Cedar county, Iowa, when about one year old. Her father, Jonas Davis, was one of the early settlers of this county. Following his marriage Mr. Brink rented land, which he cultivated for two years, at the end of which time his father removed to Oxford Mills, and he returned to the old homestead, purchase- erty. Since that time he has made many modern improvements, erection of a good dwelling, two good barns, a double crib, a ma and a hog house. He has fenced the entire place and has added ments and accessories of a model farm of the twentieth century. with his farming he raises and feeds stock, and both grain and ste him a good annual income. He fattens a large number of hogs ea sells cattle and pastures a considerable number. For twenty-nin Brink engaged in threshing, at first operating his threshing machi power and later by steam. He did threshing in Cedar, Jones, Jackso ton counties and became well known in this district.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Brink has been born a son, William E., w mented his district-school education by study in the Clarence high sc. owns a farm of one hundred and fifteen acres a mile east of his fathedesired by the g and he and his father cultivate a part of the old homestead and ren

y into the sw mainder. On the 21st of December, 1909, he married Miss Mary Bulct will be cons who was born and reared in Jones county and acquired her educationmany others w schools of Jones and Cedar counties.

-oveted award ducer this ye

Politically Mr. Brink and his son are both republicans. For fifteen , have the b he has been officially identified with the schools, serving as township su are hono treasurer for six years. He is now one of the township trustees and has in the ye quently been a delegate to county conventions. His whole life has here b passed, and he has witnessed almost the entire growth and development of ta New county. He has seen its wild land converted into fine farms, its pioneer hom replaced by modern residences, and its villages converted into enterprising citie: TED At all times he has borne his share in the work of public progress and improve ment, and his record both as a man and citizen commends him to the confidence and and high regard of all who knew him. Coal

JOHN Z. HOWARD.

Among the representative business men and prominent farmers of Cedar county must be numbered John Z. Howard, who was born upon his present farm on section 3, Gower township, April 27, 1867, and is a representative of and old and honored family, being the son of Ziba and Josephine (Roberts) Howard, who came to this region at an early day in its development. They were brought here by their respective parents and on reaching years of ma-

581

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

turity were married in this county. The father was a son of Daniel Howard, a pioneer of Iowa, who reared a large family of children. Throughout life Ziba Howard followed farming in Gower township where he died in 1868. His widow never married again but continues to reside on the old home farm with our subject. She is the daughter of Robert and Isabelle Roberts. John Howard is the youngest of her five children, the others being: George, now a resident of Cedar Bluffs, Iowa; Robert, who died in Boulder, Colorado, in 1909; and Isa- belle and Hannah, both deceased.

John Z. Howard was reared and educated in much the usual manner of farm boys and as his father died during his infancy he remained with his widowed mother and as soon as old enough began to assist in the work of the farm. He is today the owner of four hundred and twenty acres of very productive and valuable land, all in Gower township with the exception of forty acres which is just across the line in Cass township. Besides the cultivation of this place he also operates one hundred and twenty acres belonging to his mother. He also owns a general store in Plato, Gower township, which he has employed a man to carry on for the past four years.

In 1896 Mr. Howard was united in marriage to Miss Frances Moore, who was born in Gower township in 1873, a daughter of Thomas Moore, and they have become the parents of seven children, namely: Ernest, Eunice, Bernice, Ralph, Russell, Mabel and Rachel. Mr. Howard is one of the leading citizens of his community, taking an active and influential part in public affairs, and his aid can always be counted upon to further any movement which he believes calculated to prove of public benefit.

FRED KAMPMANN.

A well improved farm of two hundred acres on sections 3 and 10, Spring- field township, is the property of Fred Kampmann, whose labors as an agri- culturist have been rewarded with a gratifying measure of success. His birth occurred in Hanover, Germany, on the 3d of September, 1857, his parents being Henry and Wilhelmina Kampmann, who passed away in that country. The family was in limited financial circumstances and at the early age of nine years our subject was obliged to leave home and provide for his own support. When a youth of fifteen he crossed the Atlantic to the United States in com- pany with Mrs. Henry Rixe, who was at that time visiting the fatherland and who afterward became his mother-in-law.

582

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

gies continuously since. He erected a new barn and made other substantial improvements on the property until it is now lacking in none of the equipments and accessories of a model farm of the twentieth century. In the conduct of his agricultural interests he is winning well merited success, following the most modern methods of farming and using the latest improved machinery to facil- itate his work.

In 1884 Mr. Kampmann was united in marriage to Miss Alvina Rixe, a native of Cook county, Illinois, and a daughter of Henry Rixe, who is now de- ceased. Mr. and Mrs. Kampmann became the parents of six children, one of whom, Emma, passed away when twenty years of age. The others are as follows: Henry, Carl, Amanda, Minnie and Herman.

In his political views Mr. Kampmann is a democrat, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Evangelical church at Lowden, with which his wife is also identified. The period of his residence in Cedar county covers almost four decades and the circle of his friends is a wide one. His record may well serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others, showing what may be accomplished when one has the will to dare and to do.

DUANE E. KOHL.

Although of eastern birth, Iowa has during the greater part of his life been the home of Duane E. Kohl, and the state of his adoption has ever found him a worthy and valued citizen. Brought to Iowa in infancy, he has therefore grown up with the district, has watched its growth and has taken a helpful part in its further development. He was born in Pennsylvania, near Reading, on the 21st of July, 1853, a son of William and Hannah (Fetterling) Kohl, both natives of that state. The father was a farmer by occupation, and was engaged in agricultural pursuits in the Keystone state until 1855, when, attracted by the advantages offered by the west which was entering upon a period of substantial yet rapid growth, he became a resident of Iowa, locating in Jones county. There he purchased a farm, upon which but few improvements had been made and upon which stood a log house and a log stable. The farm consisted of one hundred and sixty-five acres, of which only a small tract had been broken. With characteristic energy, however, he began its cultivation and soon the wild land was transformed into productive fields, yielding readily to the care and atten- tion bestowed upon them. He became prosperous in his undertaking and con- tinued actively in agricultural pursuits until called to his final rest on the 3d of June, 1901, having survived his wife for about twenty-three years, her death occurring in May, 1887. On June 3, 1860, all of the buildings on his farm were swept away by a tornado and although no lives were lost, Duane E. and his father were badly injured.

The family of Mr. and Mrs. William Kohl consisted of thirteen children, seven sons and six daughters, of whom six sons and four daughters are still living. Of this number three sons enlisted for service in the Civil war. D. F. Kohl, a retired farmer now residing in Lisbon, Iowa, enlisted in 1861 as a

MR. AND MRS. D. E. KOHL

585

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

member of the Thirteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, serving for three years. Later he veteranized and served until the close of the war. He participated in a large number of important battles and took part in Sherman's march to the sea. J. D. Kohl, who also resides in Lisbon, was a member of the Eighth Iowa Cavalry and served for two years, or until the close of hostilities. S. F. Kohl, likewise a member of the Eighth Iowa Cavalry, served until the close of the war and is now making his home in Shelby county, Iowa.

No event of especial importance came to vary the routine of life for Duane E. Kohl during the period of his boyhood and youth, which was spent on the home farm in Jones county. He attended the common schools near his father's home, and when not busy with his text-books assisted in the work of the fields, early becoming familiar with the best methods of plowing, planting and harvest- ing. He remained at home, assisting his father, until reaching man's estate, when he established home relations of his own through his marriage in Jones county, December 22, 1875, to Miss Laura Scott, who was born and reared in that county. She is a daughter of Joseph Scott, a native of Iowa, where the Scott family settled at an early day. He was a son of Colonel Prior Scott, one of the pioneers of Iowa, who was born in Kentucky on the 4th of November, 1798. Subsequently the family removed to Scioto county, Ohio, where Colonel Scott was reared to manhood, when another removal was made to Indiana. Later they returned to Ohio, where Prior Soctt was united in marriage to Miss Ruth Caraway, after which he again went to Indiana, locating in Montgomery county. The year 1837 witnessed his arrival in Iowa, which was yet under territorial rule, and here Prior Scott was the first colonel of militia appointed by Governor Dodge, the first governor of the territory of Iowa. He took up his abode in Cedar county and not only was numbered among the pioneers of this district but became a well known and prominent man throughout the entire state. His son, Joseph Scott, spent almost his entire life in Jones county, where he was residing at the time of his death, June 4, 1910. His wife, who in her maidenhood was Margaret Boyles, was a native of Pennsylvania, where she she was reared and educated.

After his marriage Duane E. Kohl, of this review, continued to operate the old Kohl homestead for about three years and then purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres of land in Fremont township, Cedar county. Here he remained for about three years, after which he sold out and removed to Pioneer township, where he bought a tract of one hundred and seventy acres. Upon this place he made his home for almost two decades, and in the meantime, through careful management and well directed effort, he brought the farm under a high state of cultivation. As the years passed and he prospered he added many improvements, erecting a fine large brick residence, good barns and sub- stantial outbuildings. He set out a good grove and orchard, enclosed the fields with woven wire fence and thoroughly tilled the ground, thus making it one of the well improved and valuable properties of that section of the county. There he carried on general agricultural pursuits and also gave considerable attention to the raising and feeding of stock, and was thus engaged with increasing pros- perity until 1900, when, on the 20th of February, deciding to try the advan- tages of city life, he removed to Mechanicsville, where he has since continued to

586

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

make his home. Here he directed his efforts to buying and shipping stock for about four years, after which he was engaged for one year in the restaurant business. For the past five years, however, he has dealt in poultry, butter and eggs, in which he has built up a most successful business and he also superin- tends, from this point, the operation of his farm. He has likewise directed his efforts into other channels and became one of the organizers of the Mechan- icsville Savings Bank and one of the promoters of the Mechanicsville Telephone Company, of which he is now a stockholder.

As the years passed four sons and one daughter were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kohl, namely: Oscar J., a business man of Clinton, Iowa, who is married and has two children, Albro and Hazel; Joseph A., who is married and is engaged in farming in Pioneer township; Thomas D., a farmer of Pioneer township, who is also married and has a son, Glen; Alvin H., a druggist and pharmacist ; and Mae, who is the wife of Fred Staab, a farmer of Pioneer township, and has one child, Mary.

Mr. Kohl is a progressive republican in politics, serving, while residing on the farm, as assessor for four consecutive years and also as township trustee for two terms. He has also represented his party as a delegate to county con- ventions and served on the petit jury in both Jones and Cedar counties. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which they are deeply interested, and Mr. Kohl is a member of Independent Order of Odd Fellows, joining the fraternity in 1884. He has filled the chairs twice and also acted as past grand. He is also identified with the Masonic body, holding membership in the blue lodge of Mechanicsville. He and his wife are both identified with the Rebekahs, in which Mrs. Kohl has filled all of the chairs, has acted as past grand and also as delegate to the state lodge. Both are well known in social circles and have a wide circle of friends which is almost coextensive with the circle of their acquaintance. A man of good business ability, whose salient characteristics are energy, industry and perseverance, Mr. Kohl has during his business career by unremitting toil and well directed labor attained to a degree of prosperity which ranks him among the successful and substantial men of his district. At all times honorable and upright in his deal- ings with his fellowmen, he has proven that prosperity and an honored name may be won simultaneously, and he is now recognized as one of the respected and valued citizens of Cedar county.

PETER P. GRUNDER.

Among the responsible farmers of Farmington township, Cedar county, Peter P. Grunder occupies an honorable place, which he has gained by a life of industry and perseverance, traits inherited from a worthy parentage. He was born at Wilton, Iowa, April 24, 1860, and is a son of Peter and Mary (Hanneman) Grunder, the former of whom was born in Switzerland and the latter in Germany. The father was educated in the public schools of the old country and grew up there, but after some years of industry, finding that he

587

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

was not making the progress that an ambitious young man ought to expect, he decided to leave his old home and friends and seek his fortune in a distant land. Accordingly, at twenty-five years of age, he came to America, hoping that under the stars and stripes he might be able to attain financial independence .: His dream has been in an important degree realized. When he arrived in this country he was seven dollars in debt, but he had strong arms and a resolute heart and these are half the victory. He began by working upon a farm by, the month and through economy and good judgment he was able to save money, with which he bought forty acres of land in Muscatine county, Iowa, and became. a farmer. In 1880 he sold his farm, which had greatly increased in value, and came to Farmington township, this county, which he believed to be one of the best locations in the state, and bought the farm upon which the subject of this review now lives. His wife departed this life in 1899 and Mr. Grunder, in the evening of an active career, is retired and is living with his son.

Peter P. Grunder received his education in the common schools and grew up amid the surroundings of the farm, to which from his early years he has always been attracted. After assisting his father upon the farm for a number of years he bought from him eighty acres, which he has greatly improved, remodel- ing the house, building a new barn and crib and providing the place with all the accessories of a well managed establishment. He is a general farmer, but for some time has made a specialty of dairying, which has brought abundant financial returns. At one time he owned one hundred and sixty acres of land but recently disposed of eighty acres, leaving him now in possession of a farm of eighty acres.

In 1886 Mr. Grunder was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Jipp, who was born in Germany, June 14, 1861, and is a daughter of Christ and Sophia Jipp, both of whom are deceased. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Grunder: Lena, the wife of John Sessler, who resides in Farmington town- ship, owning a farm of one hundred and twenty acres; and Rosa, Lydia, Freda, Mary and Herman, all of whom are living at home.

Mr. Grunder has found in his wife a sympathetic companion and one who has been to him a constant encouragement and support. They are both mem- bers of the Lutheran church and consistent believers in its teachings. He is an advocate of the democratic party but has not devoted much time to politics, as his interest centers upon his farm. He is recognized as one of the stanch and progressive men of the county.

FRED KREINBRING.

Fred Kreinbring, who has made his home within the borders of Cedar county for four decades, was long identified with agricultural interests here but is now living retired in Springfield township. His birth occurred in Ger- many on the 7th of August, 1846, his father being Charles Kreinbring, who is mentioned at greater length on another page of this work. He was but eleven years of age when brought to the United States and, having lost his

588

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

mother, lived with strangers until the time of his father's second marriage. In 1870 he came to this county with his father, remaining with him until he was called to his final rest. At that time he came into possession of the old homestead farm of eighty acres and the further cultivation and improvement of that property claimed his attention until the spring of 1910, when he put aside the active work of the fields. Since disposing of his farm he has made his home with his sister Emma, the wife of C. L. Richmann.

In politics Mr. Kreinbring is a democrat, believing firmly in the principles of that party. He belongs to the Evangelical church and in endeavoring to live up to its teachings he manifests those sterling traits of manhood which ever command confidence and awaken regard and is therefore well worthy of the esteem uniformly accorded him.

MORRIS HUBLER.

More than a third of a century has come and gone since Morris Hubler ar- rived in Cedar county and identified himself with its farming interests. He has worked diligently and persistently as the years have gone by and is now the owner of eighty acres of land on section 14, Linn township. The farm is neat and thrifty in appearance and his method of caring for his property is a prac- tical as well as a progressive one.

Mr. Hubler came to Iowa in 1878 from Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred at Pine Grove in that county, December 29, 1861. He is a son of William Hubler, also a native of Schuylkill county, born in 1842. The latter was there reared and chose as his companion and helpmate for life's journey Miss Sarah Richard, also a native of that county. He was a carpen- ter by trade and engaged in building operations for several years. In 1878 Mr. Hubler removed westward with his family and purchased the eighty acre farm upon which his son Morris Hubler now lives. Here he built a two-story resi- dence and a good barn together with a sheep house and scale house. He also planted an orchard, fenced the fields and largely made the farm what it is to- day-a valuable and well improved property. Upon this place he reared his family and spent his last years, his death occurring in October, 1905. His wife survives him and resides upon the old homestead. Their family numbered six sons and six daughters, eight of whom were born in Pennsylvania and four in Iowa. They are as follows: Robert, now living in Nebraska; Morris, of this review; George, who is upon the home farm with his brother and mother; Eddie, who also lives upon the farm; Milton, a resident of Linn township; Mrs. Priscillia Sattizahn, of Rock Island, Illinois; Lizzie, who married and died at the age of twenty-seven years; Minnie; Annie; Victor; Elmira, of Idaho; and Tila, of Nebraska.

Morris Hubler was a youth of fifteen years when the family removed to Iowa, arriving in 1876, after having attended in company with his father, mother and sister the Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia. His education was acquired in the common schools and he remained at home to assist his

589

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY

father until the latter's death. In fact, he had previously taken charge of the farm and later succeeded to the old home place. The early spring time finds him at work in the fields in the preparation of the land for the crops and in the course of months he gathers good harvests. He is also successfully en- gaged in raising and feeding stock, fattening for the market from two to four carloads of stock each year. He has high grade stock, cattle, hogs and horses and all of the different features of the place indicate his progressive spirit and the resolute manner in which he carries on business, accomplishing what he undertakes.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

A topical history of Cedar County, Iowa, Volume II, Part 48

Author: Aurner, Clarence Ray; Clarke (S. J.) publishing co., Chicago Publication date: 1910 Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Number of Pages: 974

Author: Aurner, Clarence Ray; Clarke (S. J.) publishing co., Chicago
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke
Number of Pages: 974