USA > Iowa > Cedar County > A topical history of Cedar County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 54
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
On starting out in life for himself Mr. Lunschen chose the occupation of farming, to which he devoted his time prior to his emigration to the new world, and after locating in Scott county, Iowa, he engaged in the same pursuit in New Liberty township for twenty-one years, owning a half section of land there. On disposing of that property in 1888 he removed to Tipton, buying a farm a mile and a half west of the town, consisting of four hundred and forty-six acres. Upon that place he lived for fifteen years and then took up his residence in the city which is now his home. Here he has purchased a nice brick residence and today has a well improved place. Besides his city property he now owns fourteen farms, including five in Brookings county, South Dakota, one in Da- vison county and one in McCook county, that state, making over a thousand acres there. He also has six farms in Minnesota, four in Lincoln county, one in Pipestone county and one in Bigstone county. These, together with his property in this state and South Dakota, aggregate twenty-seven hundred acres of land, most of which is under a high state of cultivation and well improved.
In connection with farming Mr. Lunschen has always devoted considerable attention to the stock business and is today an extensive buyer and shipper of cattle and horses. From 1895 until 1903 he exported a large number of work horses to Germany and imported coach horses from that country, principally stallions. In the interests of this business he crossed the ocean twenty-seven times and no man in Cedar county has handled more horses than he. At dif- ferent times he imported sixty-three stallions, all of the German coach breed, and he has sent about four hundred of the best work horses he could find in this country to Germany. He has also made large shipments of cattle and hogs to the Chicago markets and is regarded as one of the best judges of stock in this part of the state.
In business his fidelity has never been questioned and the success that he has achieved in life is due entirely to his own well directed efforts, for he started out in life with no capital and has made his own way in the business world, unaided by influence. Industrious and progressive, prosperity has crowned his efforts and he is today one of the wealthiest and most influential business men of Tipton. He is recognized as a man of honor, faithful to every trust, and his success is certainly well merited. He and his family hold membership in the Lutheran church.
WILLIAM C. RICHMANN.
William C. Richmann, a respected and representative resident of Lowden, won a handsome competence through the careful conduct of his agricultural interests in former years and is now living retired in well earned ease. Cedar county has remained his home from his birth to the present time, his natal day being November 29, 1857. His father, William Richmann, was born in Germany on the 4th of September, 1820, and emigrated to the United States in 1847, locating at St. Louis, Missouri, where he worked as a laborer for two years. On the expiration of that period he purchased a farm near Red Bud,
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
Illinois, there carrying on agricultural pursuits until 1856, when he disposed of the property and came to Springfield township, Cedar county, Iowa. Here he first bought a ninety-acre tract and as his financial resources increased, ow- ing to his untiring industry and capable management, he made additional pur- chases until his land holdings in this county aggregated more than six hun- dred acres. In 1868 he opened a general store in Lowden but at the end of ten years disposed of his mercantile interests and returned to his farm. Later, in 1885, he again embarked in merchandising at Lowden in partnership with a Mr. Baird, who retired, however, in 1887. He continued in business alone for about eight years and then sold out, returning to his farm, where his last days were spent in honorable retirement. His demise occurred on the 14th of August, 1902, and the community mourned the loss of one of its most sub- stantial and esteemed citizens.
While still a resident of Illinois the father wedded Miss Christina Pen- ningroth, by whom he had eleven children, nine of whom are yet living, namely : Sophia, who is the widow of Fred Penningroth and makes her home in Lowden; Louisa, the wife of Ernst Rixe, of Springfield township, who is mentioned on another page of this work; William C., of this review; Annie, the wife of Fred Dircks, of Springfield township; Fred, who is a resident of Lowden; Lena, who gave her hand in marriage to Henry Rodenbeck, of Springfield township; Emil, who makes his home in California; Lizzie, the wife of Christian Schoff, of Springfield township; and Henry A., living in Oelwein, Iowa.
William C. Richmann obtained his education in the district schools and after putting aside his text-books assisted his father in the operation of the home farm until twenty-seven years of age. He then purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land but later disposed of the place and removed to Red Oak township, where he bought a farm of one hundred and eighty acres. The further cultivation and improvement of that property claimed his atten- tion for a period of eighteen years, when he put aside the active work of the fields and took up his abode in Clarence, having also purchased property there. He later sold his holdings in Clarence and since 1904 has made his home in Lowden, here owning a modern and attractive residence. He leases his farm of one hundred and eighty acres in Red Oak township and is now living prac- tically retired in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil.
On the 18th of March, 1885, at Lowden, Iowa, Mr. Richmann was united in marriage to Miss Christina Dircks, a daughter of Fred and Christina (Fink) Dircks, who are still living here. Our subject and his wife have one son, Emil Henry Richmann, who is conducting a furniture and undertaking estab- lishment in Lowden. He wedded Miss Alvina Miller, a daughter of Conrad Miller, of Lowden, and has two children, Evelyn and Avete. In 1899 Mr. and Mrs. Richmann adopted Miss Minnie Kettler, who was then a child of five years and whose mother had died a few days previous, and since then she has been a member of the family.
Where national questions and issues are involved Mr. Richmann supports the republican party but at local elections he casts an independent ballot. He has served as a school director and acted as road supervisor for fifteen years,
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ever proving a most able and trustworthy public official. Both he and his wife are valued and consistent members of the Evangelical church, exemplify- ing its teachings in their daily lives. The fact that many of his closest friends are those who have known him from boyhood is an evidence that his life has been directed in accordance with high principles of manhood and citizenship.
JAMES MILTON FISHER.
James Milton Fisher, successfully engaged in the pursuits of farming and stock-raising, is the owner of a well improved and productive tract of land com- prising one hundred and eighty-five acres in Springfield township. His birth occurred in Carroll county, Maryland, on the 19th of February, 1848, his parents being Joseph F. and Catherine (Sneath) 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 fam- ily 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 located 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., whose sketch appears on another page of this volume; W. F., who is a resident of Kansas; George, living in Oregon; James M., of this review; Ellen, the wife of Henry Billmyer, of Kansas; Sarah, who gave her hand in marriage to Jeremiah Fleagle and likewise resides in the Sunflower state; Abbie, the wife of Charles Peters, of Cedar county; and John, who lives in Kansas. 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.
James Milton Fisher began his education in the schools of his native county but at the end of one term's study came to Iowa with his parents, being at that time nine years of age. He completed his education in Cedar county and after putting aside his text-books assisted his father in the operation of the home farm. On starting out as an agriculturist on his own account he bought eighty acres of land in Springfield township and subsequently extended the boundaries of his farm by an additional purchase of one hundred and five acres. His prop- erty therefore embraces one hundred and eighty-five acres of rich and arable land and in its cultivation he is meeting with excellent results. The improve- ments on the place include a fine modern residence, a good barn and all necessary outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock, for in connection with the culti- vation of cereals Mr. Fisher also raises stock to some extent. Industrious,
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energetic and enterprising, his labors have been crowned with success and he is widely recognized as a substantial and esteemed citizen of the community.
On the 4th of March, 1884, Mr. Fisher was united in marriage to Miss Annie Haggerty, a daughter of Robert L. and Martha Jane (Wareham) Haggerty, who were natives of Pennsylvania and came to this country with their respective parents in the early '60s. Robert L. Haggerty is a retired resident of Tipton but his wife passed away in this county in 1886. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Fisher were born five children, four of whom still survive, as follows: Homer, whose natal day was January 31, 1889; Forrest, whose birth occurred March 31, 1894; Esther, who first opened her eyes to the light of day on the 9th of June, 1900; and James, who was born May II, 1906. Harry R., the eldest, was born on the Ioth of June, 1887, and died on the 29th of December of the same year.
Mr. Fisher exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and meas- ures of the republican party and is an active worker in its local ranks. He was a delegate to the last republican primaries and has ably served his fellow towns- men in the capacity of road supervisor, while at the present time he holds the office of school director. He is an exemplary member of the United Brethren church and takes a deep and helpful interest in its work, having at one time acted as superintendent of the Sunday school. Throughout the long period of his residence in this county he has ever enjoyed in the fullest degree the re- spect and confidence of his fellowmen and his worth as a man and citizen is uniformly acknowledged.
GEORGE WILLER.
For thirty-two years George Willer was a resident of Cedar county and throughout that period was connected with agricultural pursuits. Diligently devoting his time to the development of his farm, he won success that placed him among the substantial residents of the community and in time gained for him a competence that enabled him to spend the evening of his life in well earned retirement from labor.
A native of Bavaria, he was born in Frankenthal, near the city of Edigheim, Germany, February 23, 1827, a son of Michael and Mary (Kaiser) Willer, who in 1839 sailed from Germany for the new world and established their home near Pomeroy, Ohio. At a later date they became residents of Cedar county, Iowa, where the remainder of their lives was passed. Their children were George, Katharine, Mary, Wendell, Peter, John and Minnie, all of whom have now passed away with the exception of John, a resident of Moville, Iowa, and Mrs. Mary Sauvage, of Colorado.
George Willer spent the first twelve years of his life in his native land and in 1839 accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world. His youthful days were spent in the Buckeye state, where he continued to reside until his removal to Cedar county, Iowa, in 1865. Believing that better oppor- tunities were furnished in this section of the country, he traveled westward until he had crossed the Mississippi and, locating upon a farm south of Tipton,
GEORGE WILLER
MRS. GEORGE WILLER
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
he devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits throughout the remainder of his active business life. In early manhood he was employed as a laborer for several years and for four years worked in a rolling mill, but the greater part of his time was devoted to farming, and the practical experience which he gained in early manhood enabled him to so direct his labors in later years that pros- perity attended his undertakings. As his financial resources increased he added to his property from time to time and became the owner of four hundred and eighty-five acres of well improved land in this county.
Before leaving Ohio Mr. Willer was married, on the 3d of January, 1852, to Miss Julia Thress, who was born in Manndel, in the city of Kreutznacht, Prus- sia, Germany, June 21, 1826, a daughter of Jacob and Katharine (Thress) Thress. Mrs. Willer was one of a family of five children, the others being: John, who lives near Cincinnati, Ohio; Mrs. Margaret Ohlinger, of Pomeroy, Ohio; Philip, deceased; and Mrs. Katharine Rider, who has also passed away. It was in 1849 that the Thress family came to the new world, settling in Ohio, where the parents continued to reside until death, their home being near Pomeroy.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. George Willer were born eleven children, namely: Mary, now the wife of Jacob Marquart, of Lawton, Woodbury county, Iowa ; Julia, who is with her mother in Tipton; Wendell, of Center township, Cedar county ; John, a resident of Tipton; Minnie, the wife of Jacob Pfarr, of Center township; Peter, whose home is in the same township, near Tipton ; Emma, who died September 27, 1876, at the age of eight years, five months and twenty- seven days; and four who died in infancy. The mother still makes her home in Tipton, but the father died in that city September 24, 1897.
After retiring from the active work of the farm Mr. Willer took up his abode in Tipton, where he spent his remaining days with leisure to indulge in those pursuits which were a matter of interest and pleasure to him. Earnest labor had relieved him of the necessity of further toil in order to provide for the wants of the body and, in fact, had brought to him a desirable competence that enabled him to surround himself with all of the comforts and some of the luxuries of life. His record proved the force of industry and determination as factors in success, for he started out empty-handed and, depending upon his own resources, ultimately gained the goal of prosperity.
JOHN WISCHMANN.
John Wischmann, one of the pioneer settlers of this section of Iowa, has long been numbered among the substantial and representative agriculturists of Springfield township, where he owns two hundred acres of rich and productive land. His birth occurred in Schleswig-Holstein on the 3Ist of October, 1831, and when nineteen years of age he joined the German army, serving for four months. In 1853 he crossed the Atlantic to the United States, settling at Mo- line, Illinois, where he worked in the sawmills for three years. On the expira- tion of that period he went to Wheatland, Clinton county, Iowa, and there be-
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
came identified with general agricultural pursuits, owning and operating a farm until 1861. In that year he sold the property and rented two hundred acres of land, being busily engaged in its cultivation until 1867, which year wit- nessed his arrival in Cedar county. Here he first purchased eighty acres of slightly improved land and in 1883 moved his buildings to an adjoining tract, having resided thereon continuously since. His landed holdings embrace two hundred acres and in the conduct of his general farming interests he has been most successful.
In 1859, in Clinton county, Iowa, Mr. Wischmann was united in marriage to Miss Catherina Lahann, who was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, on the 24th of August, 1840. Unto them were born twelve children, seven of whom are yet living, as follows: Henry, who is at home; Herman, who is married and resides in Springfield township; Gustav, who is married and lives in Clinton county ; Otto, likewise at home; George, who is also under the pa- rental roof and who now holds the office of township assessor; and Alfred and Martha, who are likewise at home. The deceased members of the family are Grace, William, Marie, Joseph and one who died in infancy.
In politics Mr. Wischmann is independent, supporting men and measures rather than party. Both he and his wife belong to the Evangelical church at Lowden and their lives have been in harmony with its teachings. Though now seventy-nine years of age, Mr. Wischmann is still hale and hearty and takes an active part in the management and operation of his farm. He is excep- tionally bright and witty and his many friends find him a pleasing companion. The period of his residence in this part of the state covers more than a half century and he is therefore largely familiar with its annals from pioneer times down to the present. The hope that led him to leave his native land and seek a home in America has been more than realized. He here found the opportuni- ties he sought and, making the most of them, steadily worked his way upward to a position among the substantial citizens of Springfield township.
CHARLES H. WIECK.
Charles H. Wieck, who is successfully engaged in general agricultural pur- suits in association with his brother Fred, resides on section 18, Farmington township. His birth occurred in Scott county, Iowa, on the 28th of October, 1873, his parents being Eggert and Louisa (Thiering) Wieck, both of whom were natives of Holstein, Germany. The father was born on the 4th of April, 1830, while the mother's natal day was February 20, 1846. Eggert Wieck crossed the Atlantic to the United States in 1864, working as a farm hand in Scott county, Iowa, until 1869. In that year he made his first purchase of land and as time passed by and his financial resources increased, owing to his in- dustry and careful economy, he added to his holdings until at his death he owned two hundred and forty acres of improved land in Farmington township and ten acres of timber land in Rochester township, Cedar county. He erected all of the buildings on the home farm and brought his fields under a high state
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
of cultivation, annually gathering bounteous harvests. When he passed away on the 2d of January, 1908, the community mourned the loss of one of its most substantial and esteemed citizens. His widow now makes her home with our subject. The four children who blessed their union are all yet living, namely : Fred, who resides with his brother Charles; Katie; Charles H., of this review ; and Edward.
Charles H. Wieck obtained his education in the district schools of Cedar county and since putting aside his text-books has been actively engaged in the work of the fields. He was associated with his father in the operation of the home farm until the latter's death and since that time has managed the place for his mother in partnership with his brother Fred. In addition to cultivating the various cereals best adapted to soil and climate he also raises stock to some extent and in both branches of his business has won excellent results.
On the 3d of June, 1908, in Davenport, Mr. Wieck was united in marriage to Miss Emma Schroeder, a daughter of Jockim and Christina (Thompson) Schroeder. The father still resides in Davenport but the mother has passed away. Our subject and his wife have one child, Esther, whose natal day was April 26, 1909.
Mr. Wieck is a republican in his political views and has ably served his fellow townsmen in the capacity of road supervisor. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias at Sunbury, while in religious faith he and his family are Lutherans. He is well known throughout the community and is entitled to a place among its enterprising and representative citizens.
ERNST SCHLUTER.
For thirty-eight years Ernst Schluter has been a resident of this county, his time and energies being devoted to general agricultural pursuits. He raises both grain and stock, and his farm is a well developed property on sections 22 and 27, Massillon township. He is one of the worthy citizens that Germany has furnished to Iowa, his birth occuring in Hanover on the 26th of January, 1856. He was there reared to the age of fifteen years, during which time he pursued his education according to the methods of the public-school system of that land. He is self-educated in English, mastering the language since coming to the new world. He was in his sixteenth year when he crossed the Atlantic and made his way to Cedar county, Iowa, where he joined his brother Fred, who had arrived here in the fall of the previous year. Here Ernst Schluter began work upon a farm and was employed for one year at a salary of eighty- five dollars per year. During the succeeding years better wages were received. For seven years he was in the employ of Paul H. and Alexander Downing, but was ambitious to engage in business on his own account and improved every opportunity that brought him nearer to this goal.
In 1881, Mr. Schluter was united in marriage to Miss Lena Licht, a native of Illinois. Before his marriage, he had purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land and upon this he erected a dwelling and began the further development
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and improvement of the place. His wife carefully managed the household affairs, while he took charge of the work of the fields, and as the years passed by, he prospered in his undertaking so that he was enabled to buy more land from time to time and is now the owner of four hundred acres all in one body, constituting one of the valuable and productive farms of the district. He built a large two- story residence, also a big barn, granary, cribs and other outbuildings necessary for the shelter of grain and stock. He has also set out a grove which adds to the beauty of the place. He has likewise bought and sold other land, and his life has been crowned with splendid success, inasmuch as he started out empty- handed. It took his first two years' earnings in America to pay his passage to the new world. By unremitting diligence and unfaltering industry, he has secured what he now possesses and has thus worked upward to a position among the men of affluence in the community.
About a year after their marriage, Mr. Schluter lost his first wife, who died leaving a little daughter, Lena, who is now the wife of William G. Smith, a farmer of Massillon township. In 1883, Mr. Schluter was again married, his second union being with Miss Lena Reinking, a native of Chicago, Cook county, Illinois. There are three children of this marriage : Alma, Edwin C. and Otto L.
'Aside from his farming interests, Mr. Schluter has figured quite prominently in public affairs, and his activity and enterprise have been important factors in the progress and welfare of the community. He cast his first ballot for Ruther- ford B. Hayes in 1876 and has supported each presidential nominee since that time. He has taken an active interest in local elections and has himself been called to several local offices, the duties of which he has conscientiously and faithfully discharged. He was elected supervisor and by reelection continued in office for six consecutive years as a member of the county board. He has also been a member of the school board for years, has served on the petit jury and has been a delegate to county and state conventions of his party. During the long period of his residence here he has witnessed many changes in the county, as the condition of pioneer life have been replaced by those of modern develop- ment. He has never felt occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world, for here he has found the opportunities which he has sought and which are always open to ambitious young men. The secret of his success has been found in earnest, unremitting labor, and his record constitutes an example which others might well follow.
HENRY F. REINKING.
Henry F. Reinking, owning and operating a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Springfield township, is an agriculturist whose well directed energy and keen foresight are bringing to him a creditable measure of prosperity. His birth occurred in that township on the 15th of June, 1866, his parents being Carl and Caroline (Tonne) Reinking, both of whom were natives of Hanover, Germany. The father was born March 19, 1835, while the mother's natal day was December 6, 1837. During the first few years following his arrival in the
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