USA > Iowa > Cedar County > A topical history of Cedar County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 52
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
Our subject was only four years old when he lost his father and a year later the mother took her children to Clarence, where the family were reared. During his boyhood and youth he attended school and at an early age began his business career, working by the month as a farm hand at the age of fourteen years. He has always made his home in Cedar county with the exception of about a year and a half, and to agricultural pursuits he has devoted his time and energies. Success has crowned his efforts and he is today the owner of a very valuable and well improved farm of two hundred and twenty acres ad- joining the corporation limits of Tipton in Center township and also has two hundred and forty acres in Linn county and one hundred and fifteen acres in Black Hawk county, Iowa.
In 1889 Mr. Shoestall was united in marriage to Miss Laura D. Win- ters, who was also born in Fairfield township, July 17, 1868, a daughter of David C. Winters, and they now have two children, Eva Ethel and Mabel Grace.
Mr. Shoestall has not confined his attention alone to agricultural pursuits but is one of the original stockholders in the Tipton Canning Company and is today a stockholder in the City National Bank of Tipton. He is also engaged in the stock business in partnership with J. W. Argo under the firm name of Argo & Shoestall and in all his undertakings has been remarkably successful. He takes a commendable pride in the prosperity that he has achieved, for it is due entirely to his own industry and good management. As an upright and reliable business man he has followed in the footsteps of his father, whose good name and credit assisted him on starting out in life for himself. Even after his father had been dead for ten or twelve years he was able to secure credit on account of being the son of Edward Shoestall, whose word was ever considered as good as his bond and whose integrity was never doubted. Our subject is a man of energy and progressive spirit and to these characteristics as well as to his honesty and business ability can be attributed his success.
HENRY NIERMEYER.
Henry Niermeyer, the owner of a highly improved and valuable farm of two hundred acres on section 9, Springfield township, has resided on his pres- ent place for thirty-seven consecutive years and his well directed labors as an agriculturist have been crowned with success. His birth occurred in Hanover, Germany, on the 2d of January, 1845, his parents being Fred and Bertha (Engle) Niermeyer, who passed away in that country. He was reared on a farm and attended the common schools of his native land in the acquirement of an edu- cation.
When a young man of twenty-eight, Mr. Niermeyer crossed the Atlantic to the United States, wishing to test the truth of the many favorable reports which he had heard concerning the opportunities of the new world. After landing on American shores he made his way direct to Cedar county, Iowa, purchasing and locating upon a tract of ninety acres on section 9, Springfield township. A
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small house and a thatched-roof stable were the only buildings on the place, but he set resolutely to work and as the years have gone by has transformed it into a well improved and valuable property. As his financial resources increased, owing to his untiring industry and capable management, he extended the boun- daries of his farm by additional purchase until it now embraces two hundred acres. There are two sets of fine buildings on the property, providing ample shelter for grain and stock. The timber which originally covered a large por- tion of the tract has all been removed. Mr. Niermeyer has secured the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields and he annually gathers good harvests as a reward of the intelligence which he displays in the planting and cultivation of his crops.
In 1873, in Cedar county, Mr. Niermeyer was united in marriage to Miss Charlotte Dirck, a native of Germany, who came to this country with her brother Fred. Unto them were born nine children, as follows: Henry and William, who are residents of Springfield township; Tillie, the wife of Henry Tierber, of Cedar county ; Anna, who is the wife of Harry Thede and resides in Springfield township; Lena; Dena; Louise; and two who died in infancy.
Mr. Niermeyer is a stanch democrat in politics and has held the office of road supervisor. He keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day and is widely recognized as a most public-spirited and loyal citizen. His life has at all times been in conformity with his professions as a member of the Evangelical church. He is numbered among those who left the fatherland to identify themselves with 'American life and institutions, who have pushed their way to the front and who are a credit alike to the land of their birth and that of their adoption.
JOHN WILLIAM NEBERGALL.
John William Nebergall, deceased, was one of the most prosperous farmers as well as one of the most prominent citizens of Cedar county. He was born in Nicholas county, West Virginia, on the 15th of July, 1857, and was a son of A. J. and Margaret (McCue) Nebergall, of whom extended mention is made in the sketch of Charles S. Nebergall on another page of this volume. Our sub- ject passed the first five years of his life in the state of his nativity and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Cedar county, Iowa, arriving here in March, 1862. The family located in Center township, where he spent the remainder of his life with the exception of three years, which were devoted to farming in Shelby county, Iowa, where he removed two years after his marriage. Throughout life he devoted his time and attention to agricultural pursuits and in connection with general farming also engaged extensively in the raising of stock, feeding over one hundred head annually. He was also a breeder of registered Hereford cattle and found this branch of his business profitable. As time passed he added to his landed possessions until he became the owner of seven hundred and thirty acres of rich and valuable land in Center and Rochester townships. As he had nothing when starting out in life for himself, his pros-
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perity was the evidence of a life of industry and good management and in all his undertakings he displayed excellent business ability and sound judgment.
In 1878 Mr. Nebergall was united in marriage to Miss Anna E. Fulwider, a native of this county, whose birth occurred May 18, 1858. Her parents are Anthony and Margaret (Ridenour) Fulwider, who are still residents of Sugar Creek township. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Nebergall were born two sons, who are now numbered among the most progressive and systematic farmers and stock- raisers of this county. Charles Anthony, the elder, was born in Shelby county, Iowa, on the 15th of August, 1880, and now resides on the part of his father's estate which lies in Rochester township. He married Miss Nettie May Chap- man, who was born in Cedar county, September 7, 1882, a daughter of Henry Chapman, and they have become the parents of four children, namely: William Henry, Lloyd Anthony, Verl 'Edgar and Anna Elizabeth. Floyd Edgar was born March 24, 1885, on the farm in Center township, Cedar county, where he now resides, it having been the old homestead. He was united in marriage to Miss Ethel May Nauman, who was born in Sugar Creek township, December 22, 1887, and is a daughter of Thomas Nauman. This union has been blessed with one child, John Thomas. The sons are now successfully operating their father's estate, in which their mother has a life interest, and besides this property, which will eventually become their own, Charles owns two hundred acres and Floyd a hundred and twenty-five acres in this locality. They are wide-awake, energetic young men, of good business ability, and are meeting with more than ordinary success in their undertakings. They devote considerable attention to the breed- ing of Hereford cattle and ship a large amount of stock to market every year.
After a useful and well spent life, Mr. Nebergall passed away in 1903, hon- ored and respected by all who knew him. He took a very active and influential part in church work as a member of the South Bethel Methodist Episcopal church and was a man who commanded the confidence and high regard of all with whom he was brought in contact either in business or social life. His political affiliations were with the republican party. Since his death his widow has become the wife of Kirk Leverich and now makes her home in Rock Island, Illinois.
ALVA R. BRINK.
Alva R. Brink, carrying on general farming and stock-raising in Massillon township, is the owner of what is known as the Long View Farm, a tract of one hundred and twenty acres which has been brought under a high state of cultivation. The attractiveness of Cedar county as a place of residence is indi- cated by the fact that many of her native sons have remained within her borders, feeling that no better opportunities are offered elsewhere, and in fact statistics show that in its agricultural advantages, Iowa is second to no state.
Mr. Brink is one of the native sons, his birth having occurred August 8, 1866, on a farm adjoining his present place of residence. The days of his youth there passed and his experiences were those usual to the farm lad of the period, upon
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whom rests the necessity of aiding in the development of a farm, while at the same time there comes to him the opportunity of attaining a good English edu- cation in the common schools. He remained with his father until he attained his majority and started out in life by working by the month as a farm hand. His early experience qualified him for the duties which have devolved upon him since he began farming on his own account.
On the 19th of December, 1894, in Oxford Mills, Jones county, Mr. Brink was married to Miss Susie Doty, who was born in Cedar county, Iowa, but was reared and educated at Oxford Mills. Her father, Hiram Doty, a native of Indiana, came to Iowa when a young man and was married here.
Mr. Brink, following his marriage, located on the farm where he now re- sides, having previously purchased the place. With unremitting diligence he has since devoted his energies to its cultivation along modern lines of progress and the improvements upon his farm indicate his practical and resultant methods. In the midst of the farm there now stands a large and attractive dwelling, two good barns, corn cribs and wind pump. He has also sunk a well ninety feet deep, so that he has a good supply of water for the stock. He has also fenced the place and none of the improvements of a model farm are lacking. Good horses, high grade shorthorn cattle and Chester White hogs are found in his pastures and feed lots, and the fields return rich and abundant harvests. He sells quite a large number of hogs each year.
Mr. and Mrs. Brink have one son, Roy H. The household is a hospitable one and the parents occupy an enviable social position. Politically, Mr. Brink is a republican, but aside from casting his ballot to indicate the harmony of his views with the principles of the party, he takes no active part in politics. He has served on the petit jury and on the school board for seven years, but other- wise has devoted his attention to private business affairs, and his close appli- cation contains the secret of the success which has made him the prosperous owner of the Long View Farm.
CHARLES C. SMITH.
Charles C. Smith, one of the leading farmers and representative citizens of Red Oak township, his home being on section 5, was born in Mechlenburg, Ger- many, March 9, 1846. His name was originally Carl Schmidt but after coming to America he changed the spelling to the English form which he now uses. His parents were John and Dorothea (Bebion) Smith, also natives of Germany. It was in the fall of 1854 that the father brought his family to America, the voyage being made on a sailing vessel which was nine weeks and three days in crossing the ocean. It was an American ship and most of the people on board spoke English but the Smith family were unable to understand them. Landing at New Orleans, they proceeded up the Mississippi river by boat to Rock Island. They then walked as far as Cedar Bluffs, Iowa, looking for a location and the father finally purchased forty acres of land in Cass township, Cedar county, which is still in possession of the family. The father was successful in his farm-
MR. AND MRS. CHARLES C. SMITHI
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
ing operations, becoming the owner of a good farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Fremont township. He was born in 1810 and died on the old home- stead in 1881, while his wife, who was born in 1813, passed away at the extreme old age of ninety-three years and six months. Their children were: Henrietta, the deceased wife of Jacob Kuntz; Charles C., of this review; and Augusta, the deceased wife of Jacob Shawver.
Charles C. Smith was but eight years of age when the family came to this country and on entering the schools of Cedar county was unable to understand English but he made the most of his advantages and is today a well informed man. After spending about eleven years at Cedar Bluffs, the family removed to Fremont township in the spring of 1865, locating one mile north of the pres- ent farm of our subject. His entire life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits and for twenty-seven years he has now resided on section 5, Red Oak township, where he has a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres. Besides this valuable property he has one hundred and sixty acres across the road in Fremont town- ship and another tract of one hundred and twenty acres in the same township a mile and one-half west of his home place. He also owns some timber land aggregating thirty-five acres and in all has five hundred and seventy-five acres of very valuable land. Industrious and energetic, he has placed his land under excellent cultivation and has erected good, substantial buildings for the shelter of grain and stock. At present, however, he is practically living retired, while his sons operate the land. In its cultivation he uses the most modern and im- proved machinery, having two gang plows, to which he hitches four horses and three plows with three horses each. In the summer of 1910 he planted two hun- dred acres in corn. He is not only engaged in farming but devotes considerable attention to the stock business, feeding from four to five carloads of cattle and hogs annually.
On the 7th of October, 1869, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Mary Johnson, who was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, on the 22d of Feb- ruary, 1848, and in the fall of 1854 came to Cedar county with her parents, George and Hannah (Wilson) Johnson, both natives of Yorkshire, England. Her father was born in 1818 and her mother in 1821, and they were reared and educated in England, where they continued to make their home until after their marriage and until their oldest child was about six months old. It was in 1844 that they came to the new world and settled in St. Lawrence county, New York. Ten years later they migrated to Iowa, making the journey with two teams, in company with six other families who were coming west at that time. They drove to Buffalo, where they loaded their teams and effects upon a boat, and proceeded to Chicago, whence they drove to Cedar county, Iowa, locating first in Red Oak township, where they made their home for six years. Their last days, how- ever, were spent in O'Brien county, Iowa, where the father died in 1900, the mother passing away in 1883. In their family were eight children, namely: Wil- liam, now a resident of Sanborn, Iowa; Rachel, the wife of Alexander Long, a resident of California; Mary, the wife of our subject; Robert, of O'Brien county, Iowa; Hannah, the wife of Albert Jacobs of Paulina, Iowa; Elizabeth, the wife of William Jacobs of Woodbury county, Iowa ; George, of Minnesota ; and James, of Pipestone, Minnesota. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith are as fol-
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lows : Robert A., a farmer of Fremont township; Lawrence J., at home; Cora, the wife of George Moir of Linn township; Dora, the wife of Charles Kahler of Pioneer township; William G., Ernest C. and Herbert A., who are at home.
In his social affiliations Mr. Smith is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Mechanicsville. He has devoted considerable time to public affairs, having held all the school offices of Fremont township and trustee for six years in Red Oak township. Mr. Smith is a stanch republican in politics. He has made steady progress in well defined lines of labor and in accordance with honorable methods and is today one of the most prominent and substantial agriculturists of Cedar county. He is widely recognized as a good business man, strong in his honor and good name and strong in his ability to plan and to per- form.
JAMES GORMAN.
James Gorman is one of the successful agriculturists of Gower township, being proprietor of the Park Stock Farm on section 9. A native of Iowa, he was born on the 8th of October, 1864, in Johnson county, about one mile from the Cedar county line, but when five years of age removed to Pottawattamie county, this state, in company with his parents, Michael and Ellen (Colbert) Gorman, both of whom were natives of Ireland. The father, who in September, 1910, was eighty-two years of age, was born in County Waterford and was sixteen years old when he came to the United States with his widowed mother, who brought with her to this country five sons and one daughter. Landing in New York city, they proceeded up the Hudson river to Albany and spent five years in the Empire state. At the end of that time they removed to Illinois and from there Mr. Gorman came to Iowa about sixty years ago. He was married in Iowa City in June, 1858, to Miss Ellen Colbert, whose birth occurred in County Cork, Ireland. She came to the new world during childhood with her parents. During his early years Mr. Gorman followed farming and met with excellent success but has now laid aside all labor and he and his wife make their home with our subject in Gower township. They have six children, namely : Edward, a resident of Pottawattamie county; Dennis, of Nebraska; Ellen, the wife of Thomas Kelley of Wisconsin; James of this review; Margaret, the wife of Fide Flouchinger of Pottawattamie county; and Maurice of Kansas.
James Gorman was practically reared and educated in Pottawattamie county. where he continued to make his home until fifteen years ago, when he came to Cedar county and purchased his present farm, consisting of three hundred and twenty acres in one body on section 9, Gower township. Most of the improve- ments found thereon have been made by him, including the erection of two sets of good farm buildings and the neat and thrifty appearance of the place plainly indicates his progressive spirit and that he thoroughly understands the occupation which he has made his life work. In connection with general farm- ing he gives special attention to the raising of Duroc Jersey hogs and short- horn cattle. He is one of the representative citizens of the community and has been remarkably successful in his life work.
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On the 12th of October, 1896, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Gorman to Miss Elizabeth Yedlik, who was born in Colfax county, Nebraska, April 2, 1875, a daughter of Antone and Rose Yedlik, who were born, reared and married in Polzen, Bohemia, and continued to reside there until after the birth of two of their sons. They then emigrated to America and settled in Cedar county, Iowa, where the father followed farming until called to his final rest, March 23, 1906, at the age of seventy years. He had survived his wife about four years, her death occurring September 20, 1902, when she was seventy-four years of age. Both died in Cedar county. Their children were: John, who died here in 1909; Albert, a resident of California; Mrs. Josephine Crofter, a resident of Solon, Johnson county, Iowa; and Elizabeth, now Mrs. Gorman. The family of our subject and wife consists of five children, all born in Cedar county, namely : Rozella, Elsie May, James Michael, Leo Francis and Margaret. Dur- ing their residence in this county they have made a host of warm friends and wherever known are held in the highest esteem.
JOSEPH H. FISHER.
Joseph H. Fisher, who has made his home within the borders of Cedar county for more than a half century, has followed general agricultural pur- suits throughout his entire business career, owning and operating a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Springfield township. His birth occurred in Carroll county, Maryland, on the 13th of December, 1837, his parents being Joseph F. and Catherine Fisher, both of whom were natives of Adams county, Pennsylvania. The father was born in the year 1817, while the mother's natal day was January 18, 1818. Their marriage was celebrated in Adams county of the Keystone state. In 1857 Joseph F. Fisher brought his family to Cedar county, Iowa, and here devoted his attention to the cultivation of rented land for about ten years. On the expiration of that period he purchased and lo- cated upon a tract of eighty acres, continuing to reside thereon until called to his final rest on the 19th of April, 1884. In connection with the tilling of the soil he devoted considerable attention to stock-raising, which branch of his business added materially to his income. His wife passed away in this county on the 3d of January, 1903.
Their children were thirteen in number, eight of whom are yet living, as follows: Joseph H., of this review; W. F., who is a resident of Kansas; George, living in Oregon; James, who makes his home in Cedar county; El- len, the wife of Henry Billmyer, of Kansas; Sarah, who gave her hand in marriage to Jeremiah Fleagle and likewise resides in the Sunflower state; Ab- bie, the wife of Charles Peters, of Cedar county; and John, who lives in Kan- sas. The deceased members of the family are as follows: Two who passed away in Pennsylvania while still in infancy, and David D., Mary and Daniel, who died in Iowa.
Joseph H. Fisher, who obtained his education in the district schools of his native county, was twenty years of age when the family home was established
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in Cedar county. Here he assisted his father in the work of the fields until the time of his enlistment for service in the Union army in August, 1862, joining Company K, Thirty-fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, at Lowden. With that command he served for three years, being honorably discharged at Dav- enport, Iowa, in August, 1865. He participated in the siege of Vicksburg and in the Red River expedition and took part in many hotly contested battles and skirmishes. Though never faltering in the performance of any task as- signed him and often found in the thickest of the fight, he was not wounded. He had several hairbreadth escapes, however, the brim of his hat being pierced by a bullet on one occasion, while at another time his cartridge belt was cut in two by a spent ball. After returning from the war he worked at farm labor in Cedar county until he had accumulated sufficient capital to enable him to buy land of his own. A that time he came into possession of his present farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Springfield township, where he has re- sided continuously since. He erected a handsome modern residence, a sub- stantial barn and good outbuildings and has brought his fields under a high state of cultivation. He raises both grain and stock and in both branches of his business has won success.
As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life Mr. Fisher chose Miss Annie Montz, a daughter of Nicholas W. and Sarah Ann (Holiday) Montz, pioneer settlers of this county. Their union was blessed with four children, namely: Charles and Arthur, who are now deceased; and Clyde F. and Clarence, twins, who were born June 26, 1886, and now assist their father in the operation of the home farm.
Mr. Fisher is a stanch republican in politics but has never sought nor de- sired office, finding that his private interests demanded his entire time and attention. He and his family attend the services of the Methodist Episcopal church at Lowden. Through his membership in the Grand Army of the Re- public he still maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades. He has passed the Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten but still takes an active part in the world's work and in spirit and interests seems yet in his prime.
HENRY JOHN HAMMERICH.
When the names of prosperous and successful farmers of Cedar county are mentioned that of Henry John Hammerich occupies a prominent place. He has stanch Teutonic blood in his veins and inherited from his father a fearless- ness and energy that are such prominent characteristics of sons of Germany and their descendants wherever they are found. Indeed, it is very doubtful whether the American republic would be such a world power as it is today were is not for the sturdy arms and valiant hearts that ever since the establishment of the Union have sought here the blessings and freedom of thought and action which the old world cannot afford.
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