USA > Iowa > Cedar County > A topical history of Cedar County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 49
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His life has been a busy one and yet there are times when he has found opportunity for rest and recreation. In 1909 he made a trip to the Pacific coast, spent a day on the ocean, visited Seattle and Puget Sound points and also San Francisco and other places in the far west. He was accompanied on the trip by an uncle from Pennsylvania. His political support is given to the republican party but he has never cared for office. His father, how- ever, served as a member of the school board and in other local positions of honor and trust. The Hublers are one of the well known families of Linn township, Morris Hubler and his brothers becoming prosperous farmers and stock-raisers whose busy lives are indicated in the well kept appearance of the old homestead.
CHRISTIAN F. SOEHREN, JR.
Christian F. Soehren, Jr., an enterprising and progressive young agricul- turist of Inland township, is numbered among the worthy native sons of Ce- dar county, his natal day being March 25, 1881. His birth occurred on the home farm in Farmington township, a half mile west of Sunbury. His father, Christian F. Soehren, Sr., was born in Germany on the 4th of December, 1843, and obtained his education in the schools of that country. When fourteen years of age he accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world, the family home being established in Scott county, Iowa. He remained under the parental roof, assisting his father in the work of the fields, until thirty- one years of age, when in 1874 he started out as an agriculturist on his own account, renting land in Scott county.
At the end of a year Mr. Soehren came to Cedar county and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Farmington township, while subse- quently he bought another tract of similar size in Inland township, so that his holdings in this county embraced three hundred and twenty acres. He leased his property in Inland township and operated the farm in Farmington town- ship, there carrying on agricultural pursuits continuously and successfully until called to his final rest on the 18th of May, 1901. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Dora Krebs and was a native of Germany, came direct to this county after landing on American shores. They became the parents of five children, two sons and three daughters, as follows: John H., who manages the home farm for his mother; Anna, who gave her hand in marriage to Wil-
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liam Duge, of Muscatine county; Minnie, the wife of Peter Glaser, Jr., of Minnesota; Christian, of this review; and Margaret, who is at home with her mother.
Christian F. Soehren, Jr., attended the district schools in the acquirement of an education and assisted in the work of the home farm until 1903. In that year he and his brother John began operating the place for their mother on shares, being thus engaged for six years. On the expiration of that period our subject took up his abode on his mother's farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Inland township, where he has resided continuously since. He cul- tivates the cereals best adapted to soil and climate, and the rich and produc- tive fields annually yield large harvests.
As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life Mr. Soehren chose Miss Emma Weih, a daughter of Paul and Katherine (Bartscher) Weih, of Bennett, Iowa, and they were married February 24, 1909. Mr. Soehren is a stalwart democrat in politics but has not sought office as a reward for his party fealty. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias, while his wife belongs to the Royal Neighbors at Bennett. The young couple like- wise attend the services of the Lutheran church and are widely recognized as people of genuine personal worth.
PHILIP E. BAILEY.
The year 1867 witnessed the arrival of Philip E. Bailey in Iowa township, and since that time he has been identified with the farming and stock-raising interests of this section. Born in Columbiana county, Ohio, on the Ist of No- vember, 1854, he is a son of David and Alice (Wickersham) Bailey, natives of Chester county, Pennsylvania. In the county of their nativity the parents were reared and married, and three children were born unto them ere their removal from the Keystone state. Twenty-one years were spent in Ohio previous to the fall of 1852, when they came to Iowa. The father, who was a carpenter in early life, later took up the occupation of farming and was thus engaged at the time of his death. Both he and his wife passed away in Cedar county. The latter was reared in the faith of the Quaker church and Mr. Bailey, although not a member, was closely identified with that denomination, both using the Quaker mode of speech prior to their coming to Iowa.
In their family were eight children, of whom Philip E. of this review is the youngest. The others are as follows: Amos, Aaron and Eli, all deceased ; Emma, the wife of Joseph Shaw, of Cass county, Iowa, both of whom have now passed away; David, residing in Taylor county, Iowa; Jesse, deceased; and William, who died in the Civil war. Four of the sons, including our subject, saw service in the war at the same time. David, a member of the One Hundred and Fifteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, served for three years. The service of Jesse, of the Fourth Indiana Battery, covered three years and six months. He responded to the first call for troops for three months, reenlisted at the end of that period for three years and served over that time. He was wounded in the engagement at
PHILIP E. BAILEY
MRS. PHILIP E. BAILEY
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
Stone River, but did not return home until the close of hostilities. William, who enlisted at Tipton as a member of Company K, Thirty-fifth Iowa Infantry, had served nearly two years when he was taken ill during the siege of Vicksburg and passed away at Memphis, Tennessee.
Philip E. Bailey was a little lad of seven years when he left his native state and accompanied his parents to Iowa in the fall of 1852. Three months were spent at Marion, Linn county, but in February, 1853, the family took up their abode in Gower township, Cedar county, where the father purchased and im- proved what is now known as the Tucker farm. There the son was reared to manhood, early becoming familiar with the tasks that fall to the lot of the country lad as he assisted in the cultivation of the farm and continued to make it his home until the year 1867 when he came to Iowa township and here entered the business world on his own account, purchasing a farm of two hundred and twenty acres on sections 19 and 30. To the further improvement and develop- ment of this property he has since directed his energies and with the passing of years has brought his fields under a high state of cultivation. The land, which he originally purchased at an average of about forty dollars per acre, is now worth two hundred dollars per acre, a fact indicative of his wise management and careful direction as well as the progressive methods and keen business in- sight which he has manifested. With the cultivation of the fields he has also engaged in the stock business, and both the raising of cereals and the raising of stock are proving a source of gratifying annual remuneration. Possessing that spirit of energy and determination which must underlie all successful accomplish- ment, he has labored on from year to year, his persistent effort and untiring perseverance bringing him success, and the degree of prosperity to which he has attained ranks him among the substantial and prosperous agriculturists of Iowa township.
In 1867 Mr. Bailey laid the foundation for a happy home life by his marriage to Miss Angeline Whitacre, who was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, in Febru- ary, 1848, and came to Iowa in 1856 with her parents, Martin and Sarah (Wickersham) Whitacre, also natives of Columbiana county. In the Hawkeye state the father passed away, while the mother, who passed her eighty-second birthday in May, 1910, still survives and makes her home with her daughter Mrs. Bailey. The latter, by her marriage, has become the mother of one son, Walter O. Bailey, whose birth occurred on the old homestead on the 14th of July, 1877. His entire life has been spent on this farm, the operation of which he is largely superintending. He wedded Annie Weise and unto them has been born a son, Philip Arthur Bailey. The subject of this review has in his possession photographs which show four generations in both the paternal and maternal lines.
Mr. Bailey holds membership in Silas Jackson Post, No. 255, G. A. R., at West Liberty, having enlisted for service in the Civil war at the age of eighteen years on the 10th of May, 1864, when he became a member of Company G, Forty- seventh Iowa Infantry, responding to the call for troops for one hundred days' service. Hostilities ceased, however, ere he had seen much active service. In politics he gives his support at the polls to the republican party, but has never sought nor desired offices, preferring to concentrate his attention upon his private
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
interests. He is not unmindful, however, of the duties and obligations of citizen- ship but has ever been interested in those measures which have tended to enhance the prosperity and promote the development of the community in which he resides. Modest and unassuming in manner, he has led a quiet life, his interests centering around happy home ties and pleasant friendships, his manly principles and sterling worth winning for him the esteem and good-will of his fellowmen.
HENRY CREES.
On the list of Cedar county's honored dead is found the name of Henry Crees whose life, exceeding the Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten, covered the period between the 27th of February, 1831, and the 19th of February, 1903. Born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, he was a son of John H. and Sarah (McLaughlin) Crees who, arriving in Cedar county in 1849, spent their remaining days here, the father in the meantime following the mil- ler's trade. In their family were the following children: Nancy, residing in Iowa township; Henry, of this review; Thomas, Neely and Joel, all deceased ; and Joseph, also of Iowa township.
As a little lad of six years Henry Crees left his native state, accompanying his parents on their removal to Wayne county, Ohio. Later they returned for a year to the Keystone state and then, in 1845, came to Iowa, locating in Jeffer- son county. The year 1849 witnessed their arrival in Cedar county, and here Henry Crees was reared to manhood. During the period of his boyhood and youth he attended the country schools in the acquirement of an education and when not busy with his text-books assisted his father in the work of the farm. His early training was broad and comprehensive, serving as a substantial foun- dation upon which to win success. Entering the business world upon his own account, he took up the occupation of farming and continued to devote his re- maining days to that vocation. He became the owner of two hundred acres of rich land located on section 34, Iowa township, and also twenty acres of timber land about six miles north of his home farm. The farm had originally belonged to his father-in-law and under the well directed efforts of both was brought under a high state of cultivation. Mr. Crees was also a successful stock-raiser, this branch of his business proving an additional source of remuneration. A man of good business ability, he possessed that spirit of energy and determina- tion which is so essential to the attainment of success, and the exercise of these qualities resulted in a degree of prosperity which ranked him among the sub- stantial farmers of his locality.
It was in the month of October, 1859, that Mr. Crees was united in marriage to Miss Mary Walter, who was born in Belmont county, Ohio, September 27, 1839, a daughter of Daniel and Hannah (Michener) Walter, both natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. Walter, who was born in Chester county on the 17th of February, 1812, removed to Morgan county, Ohio, in 1839, and later, in 1852, to Whiteside county, Illinois, whence, in 1853, he came to Cedar county, Iowa. He passed away on the 10th of February, 1875, leaving a widow and eleven
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children. Mrs. Walter, also born in Chester county, on the 12th of December, 1816, was a maiden of sixteen years when, in 1832, she accompanied her par- ents on their removal from Pennsylvania to Belmont county, Ohio. Four years later they removed to Harrison county and there, on the IIth of August, 1836, she gave her hand in marriage to Daniel Walter. Her death occurred on the 3d of March, 1900. In their family were the following children: James, of Mitchellville; Mary, the wife of Henry Crees; William, of California; John; Wilson, deceased; Louisa, the widow of Charles E. Buckman, of West Liberty ; Joseph, residing in Mitchellville; Amy, the widow of Albert Bonsall, of Wood- bine, Iowa; Milton, making his home in Montana; Phoebe, the wife of Ira Mc- Aninch, of Oklahoma; and Henrietta, who became the wife of A. H. Floyd, of West Liberty.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Crees was blessed with ten children, namely : John H., who passed away in infancy; George, a resident of Muscatine county ; Ida May, the wife of Alva W. Wilson, of South Dakota; Willard Lee, of Iowa township; Anna Bell, who died when but nine months old; Nancy, the wife of W. W. Cary, of Rochester township; Amy, who became the wife of C. L. Aik- ins, of Iowa township, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume; Her- bert and Chester, operating the home farm; and Nelly Blanch, at home.
Mr. Crees was an earnest and faithful member of the Presbyterian church from 1873 until the time of his death, in the work of which he was ever actively and helpfully interested. In politics he was an active worker in the local ranks of the democratic party, giving stanch support to its principles and doing every- thing in his power to further its influence in this locality. A man whose inter- ests were ever thoroughly identified with those of his country, he was loyal in citizenship, honorable in business, kindly in action and true to every trust con- fided to his care, and his life was ever the highest type of Christian manhood. It was a matter of deep regret, therefore, when, on the 19th of February, 1903, news was received of his demise, and with his passing Cedar county lost one of its valued and useful citizens.
CHARLES H. KENT.
Charles H. Kent, who has won prosperity through his well-directed ef- forts as a farmer and stock-raiser, his home being a good farm of one hun- dred and sixty acres on sections 5 and 6, Massillon township, was born August 5, 1860, in the township where he yet resides. He represents one of the early families of the county, his parents being J. M. and Mary (Ferguson) Kent, both of whom were natives of Ohio. They removed from the Buckeye state to La Salle county, Illinois, thence coming to Iowa.
Charles H. Kent was reared upon the farm which is yet his home and bore his share in the work of early development and improvement here. The com- mon schools afforded him his educational privileges and when not busy with his text-books he aided in the work of the fields. Later he took charge of the home farm, his previous practical training well equipping him for the duties
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that devolved upon him in that connection. As a companion and helpmate for life's journey he chose Miss Jane Jeffrey, to whom he was married in Massillon township on the 28th of November, 1883. She was born and reared in that township and as boy and girl they attended school together, the ac- quaintance of their early youth ripening into a love that was consummated in, marriage twenty-seven years ago.
For a year or two after their marriage Mr. Kent continued upon the home farm and then rented another place near by for three years. He after- ward purchased the interest of the other heirs in the old home property, which he yet retains. He has always made necessary repairs, has built a good barn and keeps everything in excellent condition. He has tiled much of the land, thus enhancing its productiveness. Substantial improvements have been made and all the accessories and conveniences of a model farm are here found. Mr. Kent has also purchased ten acres of timber land. He annually harvests good crops as a reward for the careful cultivation of his fields, and he also raises high grade shorthorn cattle, Chester White hogs and good horses.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kent have been born eight children: Oscar E., who is married and has secured a homestead claim near Lewiston, Montana; Bessie, a music teacher; Blanch, at home; Elmer A., who assists in carrying on the home farm; Inez May; Raymond M .; Howard Marshall; and Clifford Le- roy, who died in March, 1902, in his thirteenth year.
The family are well known in this part of Clinton county and the mem- bers of the household occupy an enviable position in the social circles in which they move. In his political views Mr. Kent is a republican and has served as school director but otherwise has never sought nor desired office. He prefers to concentrate his energies and time upon his business affairs, and his life ex- emplifies the strong and salient qualities of the successful farmer who realizes that unremitting care and attention and unfaltering industry are the basis of all honorable success.
ROMEO TRACHT.
Romeo Tracht, who has made his home in Tipton for the past seven years, still gives his supervision to his fine farm of three hundred and twenty-five acres on section 19, Center township. His birth occurred in Galion, Crawford county, Ohio, on the 15th of February, 1850, his parents being Adam and Ann (Beech) Tracht, natives of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany. The father, who was brought to the United States when but seven years of age, was married in Ohio and there spent the remainder of his life, passing away on a farm in Williams county, that state, when seventy-four years old. He was twice married, the demise of his first wife occurring in Williams county in 1857 at the comparatively early age of thirty-one years and ten months. By his first marriage Adam Tracht had two children, namely : Romeo, of this review ; and Margaret, who died in Mills county, Iowa. By his second wife he had four children.
ROMEO TRACHT
MRS. ROMEO TRACHT
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
When five or six years of age Romeo Tracht accompanied his parents on their removal to Williams county, Ohio, and was there residing at the time he enlisted for service in the Civil war in March, 1865, becoming a member of Company H, One Hundred and Ninety-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Zeer- ing. His regiment was attached to the Army of the Potomac and he remained a loyal Union soldier until the close of hostilities, being mustered out in August. Returning home, he remained in Williams county until August, 1867, and then came to Cedar county, Iowa, here working as a farm hand by the month for one year. He next farmed in the vicinity of Stanwood until a year after his mar- riage and then went to Pottawattamie county, Iowa, where he followed general agricultural pursuits for three years. On the expiriation of that period he re- turned to this county and has here been actively engaged in the work of the fields to the present time, owning a well improved and productive farm of three hundred and twenty-five acres on section 19, Center township, four miles south of Tipton. For the past seven years, however, he has made his home in Tipton, going back and forth to his farm each day. He lives in a comfortable and at- tractive residence on Fourth street, having purchased the dwelling as soon as it was erected. He likewise owns a half section of land in Hamilton county, Kan- sas, and is widely recognized as one of the substantial and representative citizens of the community. His cash capital amounted to but three dollars when he arrived in this county and the prosperity which he now enjoys is entirely the re- sult of his untiring industry and indefatigable energy.
On the 7th of March, 1872, Mr. Tracht was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Simmermaker, who was born in Crawford county, Ohio, on the IIth of July, 1854, her parents being George and Aley Elizabeth (Henderson) Simmermaker. The father, a native of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, came to this country with an older brother, Philip, in 1833, locating in Washington county, Pennsylvania. The following spring they took up their abode on a farm near Galion, Crawford county, Ohio, there residing until 1854, when they brought their respective families to Cedar county, Iowa. George Simmermaker followed blacksmithing in early manhood but later turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits, owning and operating a farm of one hundred and sixty acres four miles south of Tipton until the time of his death, which occurred on the 6th of October, 1908, when he had attained the age of eighty-two years. It was while living in Ohio that he wedded Miss Henderson, who passed away in 1861 when but twenty- nine years of age. They were the parents of five daughters, as follows: Mary Belle, who is now the wife of T. J. Knott, of Corning, Iowa; Ann Eliza, the wife of G. W. Barkley, of Huron, South Dakota ; Mrs. Tracht; Emma, who died when six years of age; and Margaret A., the wife of Sheldon Mathews, of Villisca, Iowa. Mrs. Tracht, who was but three months old when brought to this county by her parents, resided on her father's farm until the time of her marriage. She was the mother of the following children: George Edwin, who passed away in 1904 at the age of thirty-one years; Alvah Burton, of Tipton ; Ida Ellen, who died when twenty years of age; Arthur Allen, of Tipton; Sumner Waldo, who resides in Haxton, Colorado; Omer, living in Howard county, Iowa; Samuel Dewalt, who makes his home in Walla Walla, Washington; and Farrell Everett, who is still under the parental roof.
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When twenty-one years of age Mr. Tracht joined the Reformed church and has since held membership therein, his wife and children being also identified therewith. He still maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in William Beaver Post, No. 110, G. A. R. He is a gentleman of genial disposition and courteous manner and has other sterling quali- ties which command the friendship and regard of those with whom he is brought in contact. His entire life has been guided by the most honorable prinicples and his self-reliance and unfaltering industry, combined with his integrity, constitute the salient features in his prosperity.
WILLIAM A. FERGUSON.
William A. Ferguson, who is now living retired in Tipton, has spent his entire life in Cedar county, his birth occurring January 21, 1860, on the farm in Red Oak township which his father entered from the government in the winter of 1837, and he is a worthy representative of one of the oldest and most prominent pioneer families of this section of the state, being a son of John and Jeannette (Fairchild) Ferguson. His father was born in Argyllshire, Scotland, October 31, 1804, and was a typical Highlander, talking the Gaelic language. He grew to manhood in his native land and in early life was a cattle and sheep raiser. It was in 1831 that he crossed the ocean to New York and for three years made his home in the Empire state, working upon a farm. He then removed to Indiana and in company with John Safley and Charles Dallas started for Iowa with ox-teams in 1836, crossing the Mississippi river at Rock- ingham about the 10th of September of that year. On reaching the grove about two miles below Moscow they stopped for the winter, where all were taken ill with the exception of Mr. Ferguson and his wife. While there he cut hay for his cattle, but this was all destroyed by the prairie fires which occurred later. They then returned to Illinois and passed the winter at Hendersonville, but in January, 1837, Mr. Ferguson again came to Iowa and, after stopping at his first location for a short time, proceeded to Red Oak township, Cedar county, where he located three claims, on his way back paying twenty-five cents each to have them recorded. There was only one settler in the township at that time. In 1837 in company with Mr. Safley and Mr. Dallas he again came to the county and located upon his claim, being the first foreigner to settle in this county. The family experienced all of the hardships and privations of pioneer life and before a mill was established ground their corn in a coffee mill, Mr. Ferguson securing the first grist that came from a mill in Cedar county. Later a mill was erected by him and William Coutts. Mr. Ferguson raised hogs and during the winter carried the dressed pork to market in Dubuque, a distance of seventy-five miles, through the wilderness where no roads had been laid out and crossing rivers where no bridges had been erected. At one time his wagon stuck in a stream with a load of grist and he had to carry the entire amount out on his back, wading in cold water. At one time, on one of these trips, he passed a pack of wolves, numbering over fifty, but none of the
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