USA > Iowa > Cedar County > A topical history of Cedar County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 51
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
cultivating the cereals best adapted to soil and climate he also raised and fed stock, both branches of his business proving profitable. At the present time, however, he is not actively engaged in the work of the fields, having divided most of his land among his children.
By his first wife, who passed away in 1867, Mr. Rhoads had four chil- dren, namely: Wilbert C., an agriculturist of Cass county, Iowa; Charles E., who is mentioned on another page of this work; John C., a resident of South Dakota; and Frank, deceased. In 1872 Mr. Rhoads was again married, his second union being with Miss Catherine Armentrout, who was born and reared in Ohio and came to Iowa when a young lady. Their home was blessed with seven children, the record of whom is as follows: Samuel, the oldest, now follows farming in Cedar county. David, a resident of Cedar Rapids, is like- wise an agriculturist by occupation. Harry is the next in order of birth. Joseph is engaged in business at Cedar Rapids. Herman died June 18, 1892, at the age of fifteen years. Eugene, whose birth occurred July 17, 1879, was reared on the home farm and supplemented his preliminary education, ob- tained in the common schools, by a course of study at Mechanicsville. He has always remained with his father and is now the owner of two hundred acres of the old homestead place. As a companion and helpmate on the jour- ney of life he chose Miss Amanda Spencer, a native of Cedar county, by whom he has a daughter, Mildred Inez. Anna Rhoads gave her hand in mar- riage to Cecil Overbaugh, a farmer of this county.
Mr. Rhoads is a stanch republican in politics and has supported every nominee at the head of the party since casting his first presidential ballot for John C. Fremont in 1856. He has capably served in the capacity of super- visor and township trustee and has been sent as a delegate to numerous con- ventions. He has likewise done effective service for the cause of education and is widely recognized as a most public-spirited and valued citizen. In re- ligious belief he is a Quaker, having been reared in that faith. He has now passed the seventy-seventh milestone on life's journey and his career has ever been such that he can look back over the past without regret and forward to the future without fear.
Y
HENRY KROEGER.
Henry Kroeger has lived a quiet, uneventful life but his success proves his industry, careful management and perseverance. He was long connected with the farming interests of Cedar county but is now living retired in Du- rant. He was born in Holstein, Germany, September 15, 1831, a son of Henry and Angie Kroeger, who were likewise natives of that country. The common schools afforded him his educational privileges and when twenty- one years of age he came to the United States, courageously facing a new situation and conditions in the hope that he might find better business oppor- tunities here.
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Mr. Kroeger made his way at once to Davenport, Iowa, and for some years thereafter worked at farm labor, on the railroads and in fact at any- thing that he could get to do to make an honest dollar. He was industrious and diligent and for thirteen years he was employed by other people. At the end of that time he felt that he saw an opportunity for the advancement of his own interests and rented land in Scott county. Thus he began farm- ing on his own account. In 1880 he removed to Cedar county and with the money which he had saved from his earnings he purchased an improved tract of land of eighty acres in Farmington township. There he lived until 1904, when he retired and removed to Durant, where he now occupies a comfortable home. In the meantime he had placed many improvements upon his farm and the settlement of the county had also promoted its value, so that in 1906 he was able to sell the property for one hundred and twenty-five dollars per acre.
Mr. Kroeger was married in Davenport, in 1865, to Miss Meta Wulf, who was born in Germany, August 20, 1847, and was six years of age when she came to America with her parents, James and Lizzie Wulf, who spent their last days in Durant. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kroeger have been born fourteen children but sorrow has come often to them as death has claimed their chil- dren one by one. Only four of the number are now living, namely: Annie, the wife of Hans Jensen, of Farmington township; Mary, who is the wife of Herman Peters and resides in Ida county, Iowa; Henry, at home; and Ida, who is the wife of Fred Sturm, of Chicago, Illinois.
Mr. Kroeger gives his political support to the democratic party. He has now reached the age of seventy-nine years and a review of his life shows that it has been an active and useful one, his success arising from his unfaltering diligence and unflagging determination.
MARTIN JOHNSON.
Martin Johnson, living on section 4, Fremont township, is one of the Civil war veterans. The old soldiers are fast passing away and the country cannot pay too large a tribute of praise to those who survive because of what they did for their country. In the great majority of cases, too, they have proven themselves worthy citizens in days of peace. Such has been the record of Martin Johnson, now numbered with the prosperous and progressive farmers and stock-raisers of Fremont township. He owns and cultivates one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 4, constituting a neat and well im- proved farm and since 1871 has been numbered among the settlers of Cedar county. His birth occurred in Morrow county, Ohio, January 8, 1843, and he was reared upon the home farm there to the age of seventeen years when his patriotism was aroused by the attempt of the south to overthrow the union and although but a boy, offered his services to the government in September, 1861, joining Company C of the Fifteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, going to the front as a musician. He went south with his command and partici-
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MARTIN JOHNSON AND FAMILY
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
pated in the battles of Shiloh, Mission Ridge, Chickamauga, and Stone River. There he was taken prisoner and after three weeks' incarceration in Libby prison was exchanged. He went again to his regiment, joining his comrades on the battlefield of Murfreesboro. He veteranized in the winter of 1864 and was granted a month's furlough, after which he returned home. He then went to the front again and served with his regiment until the close of the war, being mustered out at San Antonio, Texas, in the winter of 1865. Thus he was on active duty for four years and three months and then returned to Columbus, Ohio, where he was honorably discharged on the 28th of December, 1865.
Immediately afterward Mr. Johnson returned home and soon sought a home in the middle west. Coming to Ogle county, Illinois, he and his brother-in- law rented land, which they cultivated until 1871. In that year he went to Kan- sas, where he prospected and secured a location. Subsequently he returned to Iowa, where he established his permanent home. Here he purchased eighty acres of raw prairie land which he at once began to improve and develop. He built a small house and kept bachelor's quarters for a time. Later he bought eighty acres adjoining and the second tract was partially broken. Soon he planted the fields and in the course of time gathered good harvests. Subsequently he erected a commodious two-story dwelling, built two barns, corn cribs and other outbuildings. The place is fenced now with woven wire and is divided into fields of convenient size by fences that also protect the grain from the stock. An additional purchase of eighty acres in Jones county, which corners upon his home farm makes him the owner of two hundred and forty acres of valuable and productive land. He deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, as he started out in life empty-handed and his diligence and energy have been strong forces in his success. He likewise owns one hundred and sixty acres of prairie land in South Dakota and his holdings are the visible evidence of his life of well directed industry and thrift.
Mr. Johnson was married in Cedar county on the 16th of November, 1871, to Miss Clara A. Boyles, who was born in Pennsylvania, but was reared in Cedar county, her father, Jefferson Boyles, being one of the early settlers, who came to this county from Pennsylvania. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have been born six children: Ira W., who is married and resides in South Dakota; Harry, who assists in the operation of the home farm; Della, the wife of J. T. Gilbert, living at Franklin Grove, Illinois; Augusta, the wife of J. Wilkins of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Elsie, who is with her sister, Mrs. Wilkins; and Minnie, who occupies a position in the business circles of Des Moines.
Mr. Johnson exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and is also a believer in the cause of tem- perance. The honors and emoluments of office, however, have had no attrac- tion for him, as he has preferred to concentrate his energies upon his busi- ness affairs. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Me- chanicsville, while he belongs to the Grand Army post at Stanwood. He is pre- eminently a business man, diligent and determined, his time and attention being given in undivided measure to his business affairs. In addition to tilling the soil he breeds shorthorn cattle and he has been engaged in dealing in that class of
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
stock for thirty years. He now has a herd of sixty head of pure blooded high grade shorthorns and he also raises Duroc Jersey hogs. He sells his cattle on the grass and all are in good order. He fattens a large number of hogs each year. In his business dealings he is meeting with prosperity, his judgment is seldom if ever at fault in matters relating to agricultural lines and in no busi- ness transaction has he ever been known to take advantage of the necessities of a fellowman. His is indeed a creditable record and his loyalty in citizen- ship as manifested in his youthful days, when he defended the union cause, have also characterized his later life.
JUERGEN THEDE.
Spending his youthful days among strangers and dependent upon his own labor for support from a very early age, Juergen Thede has become one of the substantial residents of Durant by reason of his unflagging industry, his unfal- tering perseverance and his firm purpose. His record is an honorable and cred- itable one and his example may well be followed by others. He was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, September 6, 1835, a son of Claus and Christina (Kruse) Thede. The father died in Germany, after which the mother came to America and spent her last days in the home of a daughter in Crawford county, Iowa. Juergen Thede was educated in the common schools and at twenty-two years of age came to the United States, making his way direct to Davenport. For a year and a half he worked on a farm by the month, receiving a wage of eight dollars per month. In 1859 he went to New Orleans, where he was employed for a year and a half or until after the Civil war broke out. He made his way north on the last boat that came up the river before the blockade was declared and war was in progress. He afterward was employed at farm labor for a year in Scott county and all this time was acutated by the laudable ambition of engaging in business on his own account, to which end he carefully saved his earnings and utilized every opportunity for advancement.
He made arrangements for having a home of his own by his marriage, on the 28th of February, 1862, to Miss Mary Catherine Broders, who was born in Hol- stein, Germany, April 23, 1836, a daughter of Jacob and Marguerite (Hansen) Broders. Her father died in Germany, after which his widow became the wife of Jochim Inbeck, with whom she came to America, spending her last days in Durant. Her daughter, Mrs. Thede, came to the United States with her brothers in 1861. She had been acquainted with Mr. Thede in the old country but had not heard anything of him for three years, although she knew he was in America somewhere. One day she met him on the road but did not recognize him until the man for whom he worked and with whom he was riding told her who he was. They renewed their acquaintanceship and in time were married.
After operating a rented farm of eighty acres for two years, Mr. Thede, in partnership with two of his brothers-in-law, purchased three eighty-acre tracts of land in Muscatine county. It was raw prairie, necessitating the arduous task
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
of breaking the sod. This was done and in 1864 they raised their first crop. The following year they divided their interests and Mr. Thede received his eighty-acre share, after which he built the first house on the place. With characteristic unfaltering energy he began the improvement of the farm and bought eighty acres more, making his home thereon until 1875, when he sold out and came to Farmington township, Cedar county, where he purchased and im- proved a farm of three hundred and twenty acres. This place had been settled long before but everything upon it was in a state of dilapidation. He began to fix it up according to the modern ideas of farming and lived thereon for fifteen years, transforming the place into a fine farm. He then retired and removed to Durant, occupying a neat home in the south part of the town. In the meantime he had added to his possessions as his financial resources increased and at the time he retired was the owner of six hundred and eighty acres of valuable land in Muscatine and Cedar counties. The first eighty acres he bought in Scott county at eight dollars per acre; in three years he bought another eighty-acre tract at twenty-eight dollars per acre and in 1875 he paid seventeen thousand dollars for three hundred and twenty acres in Cedar county. Since his retire- ment he has divided most of his property among his children. His success indicates his excellent business ability, his unfaltering diligence and his intelligent management of his affairs.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Thede have been born five children who are yet living, while three have passed away. The family record is as follows: Augusta, who died at the age of eighteen years and ten months; Henry W., who is mentioned on another page of this work; Christina, who passed away when but two years old; Mary, the wife of Gust Guemmer, of Cedar county; George, who likewise died at the age of two years; George F., an agriculturist of this county, whose sketch appears on another page of this volume; Herman P., who operates the old homestead farm and who is also represented elsewhere in this work; and John, a resident of South Dakota.
Mr. and Mrs. Thede were reared in the Lutheran faith but as there was no church of their denomination near their home in this locality, they have never united with another organization. During their early days they saw many hard- ships and practiced close economy. Following their marriage in two years they bought just two pounds of coffee, which at that time sold for fifty cents a pound and they felt they could not afford the luxury. They browned barley and corn and other cereals and from this made beverages which they substituted for cof- fee. While working on a boat on the Mississippi river they would dip up the very muddy water below St. Louis and let it settle, after which they used it for drinking and cooking purposes. Their limited financial resources made it nec- essary that they spend not a cent needlessly but, practicing the closest economy, they were at length able to gain a start and now, in the evening of life, they are able to enjoy many comforts and luxuries.
Mr. Thede has always given his political support to the democratic party and has served as school director, road supervisor and in other minor township offices. Both he and his wife are held in the highest esteem, enjoying the warm friendship of all with whom they have come in contact. They have both passed the Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten, Mr. Thede being now
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
seventy-five years of age, while his wife has reached the age of seventy-four They have traveled life's journey happily together for forty-eight years, shar- ing with each other its joys and sorrows, its adversity and prosperity, and their labors have received a fitting crown in the success which is now theirs.
JOHN SECOR.
The home of John Secor stands on section 14, Pioneer township, and his attention is there given largely to the breeding and sale of pure blooded Here- ford cattle and Norman horses. His farm is three hundred acres in extent- a well kept property conveniently and pleasantly situated within a mile and a half of Mechanicsville. For more than a quarter of a century Mr. Secor has lived in Cedar county, arriving in 1883. He was born in Camden, Oneida county, New York, February 2, 1861, a son of Frank and Annette (Houghton) Secor. In early life he learned the tanner's trade which he followed for several years, but the outbreak of the Civil war put all thoughts from his mind save his duty to his country and he joined a New York regiment with which he went to the south, participating in numerous battles. He was killed in the battle of the Wilderness, thus laying down his life upon the altar of his country. His widow survived him for a long period and carefully reared her family. From the Empire state she removed westward to Ohio and later was married again in Pennsylvania, after which she went to Cleveland, Ohio, where she continued to make her home until her death in 1908. By her first marriage she had but two children, the daughter being Mrs. Clara Brumagin, now a resident of Cleveland.
The youthful days of John Secor were passed in Michigan, Ohio and Penn- sylvania. He started out in life on his own account when but ten years of age and went into the pineries of Michigan when thirteen years of age, where he was employed for four years. He worked at anything that came to hand in Cleveland and elsewhere and the opportunities of the west proved the attraction that brought him to Iowa in 1883, at which time he joined an uncle in Jones county. He began working as a farm hand by the month and was thus em- ployed for two years on the farm which he now owns. He rented it for eight years, during which time his careful expenditure and unfaltering industry brought him a capital that enabled him to purchase the place and he became the owner of three hundred acres constituting one of the valuable farm properties of this part of the county. He has since been busily engaged in cultivating and further improving the land and the evidences of his handiwork are seen in the splen- didly kept buildings whereon the work of repair is never neglected. Two large barns, cribs and sheds have been built by him and the barn used for his horses has a cement floor. All the buildings have been erected with a view to the com- fort of the animals and convenience in their care, while the latest improved machinery is used to facilitate the work of the fields. For twenty years he has been engaged in breeding and selling Hereford cattle and is a well known stock dealer. In 1909 he purchased a pure blooded Norman horse, one of the finest
MR. AND MRS. JOHN SECOR
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to be found in the breeding stables of eastern Iowa. He feeds a carload of steers each year and occasionally ships a load of hogs. His stock-raising in- terests are therefore extensive and constitute a very gratifying source of income.
On the 20th of February, 1884, in Pioneer township, Mr. Secor was married to Miss Flora Gleason, who was born and reared here and is a daughter of M. W. Gleason, one of the pioneer settlers of Cedar county, who came from New York, and the sister of F. K. Gleason, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. Unto this marriage has been born a son, Frank Secor, and a daughter. Grace, who died at the age of three years.
The political support of Mr. Secor is given to the republican party yet with independent tendencies he does not consider himself bound by party ties at local elections. For twelve years he has been identified with the schools and the cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion. His life record is a creditable one and may well serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others. An eminent jurist once said: "Some men start out in life with the aid of influ- ential friends ; some aided by luck; others by inheritance; but the great majority commence life without a shilling." To the latter class Mr. Secor belonged. A boy of fourteen years, he faced the world and soon learned the lesson that in- dustry constitutes the most potent weapon with which to attain victories in the business world. His indefatigable labor, therefore, has constituted the source of his success, which is of a most substantial character, placing him among the well known and leading breeders and dealers of pure blooded registered Here- ford cattle and standard bred horses in Cedar county, his success making his name an honored one on commercial paper. His business industry, too, has ever stood as an unquestioned fact in his career and his life record proves that hon- esty is the best policy.
HENRY SCHNEEKLOTH.
Henry Schneekloth, the owner of a valuable and well improved farm of one hundred and fifty-five acres in Inland township, has devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits throughout his entire business career and the success which has attended his efforts is ample proof of the fact that his choice of a vocation was a wise one. His birth occurred in Schleswig-Hol- stein, Germany, on the 23d of April, 1854, his parents being Henry and Mar- guerite Schneekloth, who were likewise natives of that country. They crossed the Atlantic to the United States in 1869, settling at Durant, Cedar county, Iowa, where they continued to reside throughout the remainder of their lives. The family was in limited financial circumstances and after landing in this country the sons immediately secured employment in order that they might refund the money which had been borrowed to pay their passage to the new world. In their family were the following children: William, who is now a resi- dent of Davenport; Christian, living in Sunbury, Cedar county ; Claus, of Du- rant, this county; Henry, of this review; Philip, who likewise makes his home in Durant; Fred, who is deceased.
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Henry Schneekloth, who was a youth of fifteen when he accompanied his parents on their emigration to America, first worked as a farm hand in this county for several years. Subsequently he devoted his attention to the cultiva- tion of rented land until he had accumulated sufficient capital to enable him to buy a farm of his own. By his first purchase he came into possession of a tract of eighty acres in Inland township, on which stood a little shanty. As his financial resources increased he extended the boundaries of the farm by additional purchase until it now embraces one hundred and fifty-five acres of rich and productive land. As the years have gone by he has brought the place under a high state of cultivation and improvement and the buildings- thereon now include a substantial residence and barns.
In 1875, in Cedar county, Mr. Schneekloth was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Saco, a native of Holstein, Germany. Unto them have been born ten children, namely: Lena, the wife of John Klahn, an agriculturist of Farm- ington township; Frank, who is married and lives in Inland township; Della, who is the wife of Herman Krebs and resides in Farmington township; Her- man, who is married and makes his home in Inland township; Martha, the wife of Ernst Peterson, of Sunbury, Iowa; Ferdinand, an agriculturist of Inland township; Clara, the wife of Harry Bartscher, of Inland township; and Chrissie, Elsie and Viola, all at home.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Schneekloth has supported the men and measures of the republican party. He has held the office of school director but otherwise has not sought nor desired political preferment. He was reared in the Lutheran faith and is a devoted member of the church of that denomination. The period of his residence in Cedar county now covers more than four decades and he is well entitled to a place among its substantial agriculturists and representative citizens.
EDWARD SHOESTALL.
One of the most successful farmers and stockmen of Cedar county is Ed- ward Shoestall, whose home is in Center township, adjoining the corporation limits of Tipton. He is one of the native sons of the county, his birth occur- ring in Fairfield township on the 27th of April, 1865, and his parents were Edward and Rosanna (Markle) Shoestall, who were born, reared and mar- ried in Pennsylvania. They continued to make their home in that state until coming to Iowa about 1850, at which time they took up their residence south of Tipton in Cedar county. Later they removed to a farm in Fairfield town- ship, where the father died at the age of thirty-seven years. The mother is still living and now makes her home in Fort Madison, Iowa. Throughout life the father followed agricultural pursuits and just before his death purchased a farm. In his family were six children, namely: Albert; John, now a resident of Oklahoma; Joseph, of Nebraska; Mary, the wife of Henry Sutphin, of Fort Madison; Kate, the wife of Charles Curtis, of Nebraska; and Edward, of this review.
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