USA > Iowa > Cedar County > A topical history of Cedar County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 55
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
United States, Carl Reinking carried on general agricultural pursuits in Linn county, Iowa, where his marriage was celebrated. Subsequently he was engaged in the milk business at Chicago for two or three years, on the expiration of which period he purchased forty acres of land in Linn county, Iowa. On disposing of that property, he bought eighty acres in Springfield township, Cedar county, and later added an adjoining tract of similar size. Subsequently, he purchased two hundred and thirty-two acres of land in Red Oak township, this county, where he carried on general farming and stock-raising for a period of eleven years, leasing his quarter section in Springfield township. After selling his property in Red Oak township, he removed to Clarence and there spent the remainder of his life in honorable retirement, passing away on the 9th of October, 1891. He gave his political allegiance to the democracy but had neither time nor inclina- tion for public office. His religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Evangelical church at Lowden. He was upright and honorable in all the re- lations of life and gained the warm esteem and friendship of those with whom he came in contact. His widow still survives him and makes her home with her daughter Alma in Clarence.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Carl Reinking were born eight children, one of whom died in infancy. The others are as follows: Caroline, the wife of Ernst Schluter, of Massillon township; Sophia, who gave her hand in marriage to Diedrich Bergmann and resides in Fairfield township; Henry F., of this review; Alvena, who is the wife of Herman Freese, of Cedar county; Minnie, who wedded Louis Conrad and resides in Fairfield township; Emma, the wife of William Freese, of Fairfield township; and Alma, who is at home with her mother.
Henry F. Reinking attended the district schools in pursuit of an education and also spent three terms in a German school at Lowden. After completing his studies, he assisted his father in the work of the fields and later rented the lat- ter's farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Springfield township, operating the place in association with his brother-in-law Diedrich Bergmann for one year. Following the death of Carl Reinking they rented that farm from the estate for a year, at the end of which time our subject purchased the property. As before stated, it embraces one hundred and sixty acres of rich and productive . land in Springfield township and the substantial buildings thereon provide ample shelter for grain and stock. All of the improvements which adorn the farm were made by Carl Reinking. Mr. Reinking of this review carries on the work of tilling the soil and also raises stock and his business interests are so care- fully managed, that annually his sales of grain and stock return to him a good financial reward for his labor.
On the 24th of June, 1896, Mr. Reinking was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Hasemeyer, a daughter of Frederick and Minnie (Bushing) Hasemeyer, who came to this country from Germany in 1893 and are now deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Reinking have been born four children, namely: Irene, Esther, Ervin and Paula.
When exercising his right of franchise, Mr. Reinking is not bound by party ties, casting an independent ballot. He formerly served in the capacity of road supervisor and is now acting as school director of district No. 8 in Springfield
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
township. Both he and his wife belong to the Evangelical church at Clarence. He has always lived in this county and that his life has ever been an upright and honorable one is indicated by the fact that his stanchest friends are numbered among those who have known him from his boyhood.
JOHN WINGERT.
John Wingert, who is now living practically retired in Tipton after many years devoted to farming and stock-raising, was born in the neighboring state of Illinois, his birth occurring near Trivoli, Peoria county, October 22, 1845. He is the second in order of birth in a family of eight children born to Peter and Isabelle (Garey) Wingert, of whom extended mention is made in the sketch of F. D. Wingert on another page of this volume.
It was in 1856 that our subject accompanied his parents on their removal to Cedar county, Iowa, the family locating on York Prairie in Springfield town- ship. During his boyhood and youth he aided his father in the work of the farm and continued to engage in its operation until his marriage, after which he began farming for himself on York Prairie, his father giving him eighty acres, while he bought another eighty acre tract, making one hundred and sixty acres of raw prairie land. This he broke and improved and continued to engage in its cultivation until his retirement from labor in 1899, when he removed to Tip- ton and purchased his present comfortable residence on Meridian street. By industry and economy he prospered as time went by and he added to his prop- erty until the farm comprised four hundred and eighty acres on sections 28, 29 and 31, Springfield township. On his removal to Tipton he disposed of half of that property. At one time he was the owner of nineteen hundred and fifty-nine acres of land, including eight hundred acres in South Dakota, which he has since sold, while he gave to his son a farm of one hundred and sixty acres south of Tipton and sold another tract of one hundred and sixty acres near it. He still owns one hundred and thirteen acres in Center township, south of the city, and two hundred and forty acres in Kossuth county, Iowa. With the exception of the eighty acres given him by his father, at that time worth about sixteen dollars per acre, he has acquired all his possessions through his own efforts, being regarded as one of the most energetic, progressive and reliable farmers of this community. The most of his land was purchased at from forty dollars to one hundred and sixty dollars per acre. Mr. Wingert, however, attributes much of his success to his stock-raising interests, for he always devoted considerable attention to the raising of a high grade of cattle, horses and hogs. Prosperity having crowned his efforts, he felt justified in laying aside the more active duties of life and is now living retired in the enjoyment of a well earned rest.
On the 22d of October, 1868, Mr. Wingert was united in marriage to Miss Josephine Tevis, who was born in Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania, September 17, 1847. She was only seven years of age when brought by her parents, John and Elizabeth (McNamee) Tevis, to Cedar county, Iowa. Her father was a native of Kentucky and her mother of Pittsburg, but they were married in Wheeling,
MR. AND MRS. JOHN WINGERT
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
West Virginia. For some time they made their home in the Keystone state before coming to Iowa. Mrs. Tevis died in Worthington, Minnesota, on the 3d of February, 1898, at the ripe old age of eighty-four years, and her husband passed away at Lexington, Nebraska, August 1, 1893, at the age of eighty-two years. He followed farming in Springfield township, this county, until 1888, when he removed to Nebraska and at one time owned two hundred acres of land in that state. His family consisted of five sons and four daughters. The chil- dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Wingert are: Lizzie Belle, now the wife of Ed Roberdee, living six miles east of Tipton; Arthur Albert, who died at the age of nineteen years ; and Peter Earl, who resides in Center township, south of Tipton
Although his business interests have ever been extensive, Mr. Wingert has found time to devote to other affairs and served as justice of the peace while living in York Prairie for four or five terms. In his political views he is a democrat and fraternally is identified with Alhambra Lodge, K. P., of Tipton. He is an earnest and faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church and assisted in the erection of the beautiful church edifice in Tipton, serving on its building committee. He also helped to build the Methodist Episcopal church in York Prairie and has ever taken an active interest in those enterprises which he believed would prove of benefit to his fellowmen. In business affairs he was always regarded as thoroughly reliable, and he stands deservedly high in the esteem of his fellow citizens.
CHRISTIAN FEHLING.
Christian Fehling, an enterprising and successful agriculturist of Spring- field township, was born in Westphalia, Germany, on the 14th of December, 1853, his parents being William and Christina (Rohling) Fehling, likewise na- tives of that country. The father passed away when his son Christian was but nine months old and the mother afterward married again, becoming the wife of Ernst Broeking, who was also born in Germany. Mr. Broeking brought his family to the United States in 1867, first spending a few weeks in Indianapolis, Indiana. In the fall of 1867 he came to Cedar county, Iowa, and for several years devoted his attention to the cultivation of rented land. He afterward purchased a farm of his own and, carrying on his agricultural in- terests in a practical and progressive manner, met with success in his under- takings. At the present time he is living retired in Lowden, enjoying the fruits of his former toil in well earned ease. The period of his residence in this county now covers forty-three years and he enjoys a wide and favorable ac- quaintance within its borders. His wife was called to her final rest in 1904. Their children were as follows: Christina, the wife of Dick Twachtman, of Springfield township; Sophia, who gave her hand in marriage to John Sanders and resides in Lowden, Iowa; Mrs. Henry Wiese, of Springfield township; Louise, the wife of R. Brower, of Lowden; Fred, who lives in Mitchell county, Iowa; and William, who died in infancy.
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
Christian Fehling, who is the only child of his mother's first marriage, was a youth of fourteen when he acccompanied his stepfather on the voyage to the new world. He remained under the parental roof for a year and then started out in life for himself, securing employment as a farm hand by the month. In 1882 he purchased eighty acres of his present farm from his stepfather and eleven years ago bought an eighty-acre tract adjoining. The many substantial improvements which now adorn the property stand as monuments to his thrift and enterprise, and his careful supervision is manifest in the neat appearance of the farm. In addition to his home place he also owns an improved farm of eighty acres in Fairfield township, having purchased that property in the spring of 1910. Energetic and industrious, his well directed efforts and close application have been salient elements in the prosperity which he today enjoys and he is ranked among the substantial and representative agriculturists of the community.
On the 28th of September, 1882, in Cedar county, Mr. Fehling was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Kahl, whose birth occurred in Mecklenburg, Germany, on the 9th of July, 1865, her parents being Joseph and Elizabeth (Langpopp) Kahl, farming people of Fairfield township, this county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Fehling were born six children, namely: Ida, who died at the age of one year and nine months; Lydia, at home; Martha, the wife of John Klatt, of Fairfield township; and William, Walter and Elma, who are like- wise yet at home.
Politically Mr. Fehling is a stanch republican, having supported the men and measures of that party since age conferred upon him the right of fran- chise. He is a warm friend of the cause of education and has acted as a school director. Both he and his wife belong to the Evangelical church at Lowden and are deeply interested in its work. They are widely recognized as people of genuine personal worth and have gained many friends during their long residence here.
HENRY LICHT.
Henry Licht, one of the venerable and highly esteemed citizens of Cedar county, was for many years prominently identified with agricultural interests here but is now living retired on a farm a half mile west of Lowden. His birth occurred in the province of Hanover, Germany, on the 27th of August, 1828, and in that country he spent the first thirty-four years of his life. In 1862 he emigrated to the United States, locating in Illinois, where he worked as a farm hand for four years.
On the expiration of that period Mr. Licht came to Cedar county, Iowa, and for one year devoted his attention to the operation of a rented farm of one hundred and twenty acres. He then bought a tract of one hundred and sixty acres but subsequently sold eighty acres thereof. By his next purchase he came into possession of a farm of one hundred and eighty acres and was actively engaged in its operation until he disposed of the property. He after-
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
ward bought a tract of four hundred acres and the further cultivation and im- provement of that property claimed his attention until the time of his retire- ment from active business life. He made many substantial improvements on each of his farms before disposing of them and has ever been a most energetic, industrious and enterprising agriculturist. On putting aside the active work of the fields he divided his property among his children, and now resides with his son Henry on a farm a half mile west of Lowden. His well directed labors were rewarded with a large degree of prosperity and he has long been num- bered among the most substantial and respected citizens of the community.
In the year 1856, in Germany, Mr. Licht was united in marriage to Miss Dora Schroeder, by whom he had nine children, two of whom were born in the fatherland. Henry and August are deceased and the seven surviving chil- dren are as follows: William; Charles; Louis; Henry F .; Albert; Minnie, who is the wife of Fred Myer and resides in Springfield township, Cedar county ; and Louisa, the wife of Henry Hintz, of Lowden.
Since becoming a naturalized American citizen Mr. Licht has exercised his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the democracy. He has never held public office, however, finding that his private interests de- mand his entire time and attention. Both he and his wife are valued mem- bers of the Lutheran church at Lowden, taking a deep and helpful interest in its work. Mr. Licht served as superintendent of the Sunday school for years. For forty-four years he has made his home within the borders of Cedar county and his salient characteristics are such as have gained for him the unqualified respect, esteem and good will of his fellowmen. Leaving his native country in early manhood, he sought the opportunities of the new world and in a land where effort is unhampered by caste or class has worked his way steadily up- ward. He has now passed the eighty-second milestone on life's journey and can look back over the past without regret and forward to the future without fear.
J. W. HENRY BRAMMEIER.
J. W. Henry Brammeier, whose labors as an agriculturist have been at- tended with a gratifying measure of success, is the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of rich and productive land in Farmington township. His birth occurred in Cedar county, Iowa, on the 21st of August, 1863, his parents being Frederick and Annie Martha (Otto) Brammeier, who are mentioned at greater length on another page of this volume.
J. W. H. Brammeier supplemented his preliminary education, obtained in the district schools, by a course of study at the Wilton Normal Academy. He remained under the parental roof until twenty-six years of age, assisting his father in the operation of the home farm and thus gaining practical knowledge of the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. In 1889 he started out as an agriculturist on his own account, renting eighty acres of land, in the cultivation of which he was actively engaged for six years. During the
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following four years he devoted his attention to the operation of a rented farm of one hundred and twenty acres and then purchased the tract of one hundred and twenty acres in Farmington township which has remained his place of abode to the present time. The many substantial improvements which now adorn the property, including a handsome residence, good barn and out- buildings, all stand as monuments to his industry and enterprise. In connec- tion with the tilling of the soil he follows stock-raising to some extent, finding both branches of business congenial as well as profitable.
As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life Mr. Brammeier chose Miss Lena Wacker, a daughter of Peter and Wilhelmina (Stender) Wacker, who were among the earliest settlers of Wilton, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Bram- meier had two children, namely: Alma, who was born on the 10th of March, 1891 ; and Ernest, whose natal day was October 24, 1893. The wife and mother was called to her final rest in April, 1894.
Mr. Brammeier is a stalwart democrat in politics but has never sought nor desired office as a reward for his party fealty. In religious faith he is a Luth- eran. Having resided in Cedar county from his birth to the present time, he has a wide acquaintance here and his friends know him as an enterprising agriculturist and a man of genuine worth.
GEORGE W. REEDER.
A student of history cannot carry his investigations far into the annals of Cedar county without learning of the prominent part which the Reeder family has played in the upbuilding and development of this section of the state along the lines of material, intellectual and moral progress. In all matters of pro- gressive citizenship the Reeders have stood for that which most greatly benefits the community and George W. Reeder was no exception to this rule. His life was actuated by honorable principles and characterized by manly conduct. He was one of four brothers who have made the name an honored one in Cedar county. They were the sons of George and Sophia Reeder.
He whose name introduces this review was born in Goshen, Clermont county, Ohio, September 21, 1833, and was a youth of seventeen years when, in the fall of 1850, he came with his parents to Cedar county, Iowa, remaining there- after a resident of this district until his death, which occurred July 30, 1890. He was reared to the occupation of farming and throughout his entire life engaged in agricultural pursuits and in stock-raising. He became the owner of two hundred and forty acres of rich land about three and one-half miles northwest of Tipton and resided thereon from the time of his marriage until his death. In addition to that property he became the owner of forty-five acres on Rock creek. He lived the quiet and industrious but useful life of a farmer, and his energy, activity and perseverance in business brought him a substantial capital, enabling him to leave his family in comfortable financial circumstances.
On the 26th of November, 1867, Mr. Reeder was united in marriage to Miss Emma S. Horn, who was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, November 23,
GEORGE W. REEDER
MRS. EMMA S. REEDER
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
1846, and came to Cedar county with her parents in 1854. They settled about three miles south of Tipton and Mrs. Reeder has since made her home in this vicinity, having been a resident of Tipton for the past fifteen years. She is a daughter of J. C. and Mary (Filson) Horn, who were natives of Bedford county, Pennsylvania, where they resided until they came to Iowa, spending their remaining days upon a farm in Cedar county. The mother, who was born March 6, 1820, died on the Ist of September, 1877, and the father, who was born January 24, 1819, survived his wife for some years, passing away on the 15th of March, 1884. Both were consistent members of the Methodist Epis- copal church, in the work of which they took an active and helpful part, con- tributing in large measure to its upbuilding and guiding their lives in accord- ance with its teachings. The father was a republican in his political views and held a number of local offices. In the Horn family were the following children : Mrs. Martha Edge and Mrs. Elizabeth Miller, both of whom are now deceased ; Mrs. Reeder ; Melinda M., who died in early womanhood; William H., who has passed away; J. S., of Omaha, Nebraska; and G. P., who is living near St. Ed- ward, Nebraska.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Reeder there were born six children: Alfred F., now a resident of Tipton; Bertha, the wife of J. W. Batcheller of Yankton, South Dakota; Harry H., a banker of Goldfield, Iowa; Bessie, at home; Floyd, who is living on a farm near Tipton; and Nellie, who is now teaching in the university at Columbia, Missouri. She is a graduate of Cornell College and the other children also attended Cornell College, of which institution three are graduates.
Mr. Reeder was a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church from 1870 until his death and took an active and helpful part in church work, co- operating in many movements for the moral advancement of the community. In politics he was a stanch republican with firm faith in the principles of the party and held some local offices. While his life was a quiet one, it was also the embodiment of many of the elements of strong and honorable manhood. He closely followed the principles which he believed to be right and his fidelity in citizenship, his reliability in business and his integrity and loyalty in other relations of life gained for him the warm regard of all with whom he came in contact. He passed away July 30, 1890, but is yet kindly remembered by all who knew him.
HENRY OHLROGGE.
Henry Ohlrogge, who has won a gratifying measure of success in his under- takings as an agriculturist, is the owner of a well improved and productive farm of one hundred and eighteen acres in Springfield township. His birth occurred in the province of Hanover, Germany, on the 12th of March, 1867, and in that country he spent the first twenty-four years of his life. In 1890, having determined to establish his home on this side the Atlantic, he sailed for American shores and in the year 1890 purchased and located upon a farm of one hundred and eighteen acres in Cedar county, Iowa. He has resided thereon
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continuously since and has brought the place under a high state of cultivation and improvement, having erected a handsome modern residence, good barns and all necessary outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock. In addition to cultivating the cereals best adapted to soil and climate he also devotes con- siderable attention to the raising of stock, which branch of his business adds materially to his income.
While still a resident of the fatherland Mr. Ohlrogge was united in mar- riage to Miss Augusta Ruchotski, likewise a native of Germany. Unto them have been born six children, namely: Denna, Marie, Albert, Diedrich, Anna and Martha. The family attend the services of the Lutheran church at Low- den. Mr. Ohlrogge has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the United States, for in his home community he has gained an enviable reputation as a substantial and esteemed citizen.
AUGUST WACKER.
August Wacker, the owner of two hundred and fifty acres of land in Cedar county, devotes his time and energies to the pursuits of farming and stock- raising with excellent results. His birth occurred in Holstein, Germany, on the 15th of December, 1857, his parents being Peter and Wilhelmina (Stender) Wacker, who were born, reared and married in that country. The father, who was a builder of gristmills in Holstein, emigrated to the United States in July, 1869, first residing in Davenport, Iowa, for a short time. In May, 1870, he took up his abode in Wilton, Iowa, there working at the wagonmaker's trade until the time of his retirement from active business life. His demise occurred on the 23d of January, 1896. Unto him and his wife were born ten children, namely: August, of this review; John; Henry; George; Charles; Lena, who is deceased; William; Lottie, who is the wife of Albert Barwold, of Tipton, Iowa; Peter; and Louisa, who gave her hand in marriage to William Bram- meier, of Farmington township.
August Wacker attended the German and district schools of Scott and Muscatine counties in pursuit of an education but his parents were in limited financial circumstances and he put aside his text-books at an early age in order that he might provide for his own support. He worked as a farm hand until he had attained the age of twenty-three years and then devoted his attention to the operation of a rented farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Muscatine county for two years. On the expiration of that period he bought eighty acres of his present home place in Farmington township, subsequently adding to his holdings from time to time until he now owns two hundred and fifty acres of fine farming land in Cedar county. A tract of one hundred and sixty acres lies in Farmington township, while the remaining ninety acres are in Sugar Creek township, ten acres thereof being timber land. His undertakings as an agriculturist have been attended with a gratifying measure of success and in connection with the tilling of the soil he also raises considerable stock, feeding a carload of cattle annually. He remodeled his residence, erected barns and
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