USA > Iowa > Cedar County > A topical history of Cedar County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 56
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outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock and has made the property a most desirable and attractive one.
On the 26th of February, 1880, Mr. Wacker was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Brammeier, a daughter of Henry Brammeier, who is deceased. Our subject and his wife now have nine children, as follows: Etta, who is the wife of Frank Marolf and resides in South Dakota; Henry, a twin brother of Etta, who is at home; Della, who is likewise under the parental roof; Elea- nor, the wife of Clarence Carl, of Cedar county; Edith, who wedded George Stoll, of Mount Pulaski, Illinois; Emma and Albert, who are also still at home; Edwin, who resides with his sister, Mrs. Stoll, at Mount Pulaski, Illinois; and Richard, at home.
Mr. Wacker is a republican in politics and is now serving as road super- visor for the second term. He and his family belong to the German Lutheran church and are deeply interested in its work. From early life Mr. Wacker has depended upon his own resources for a living. He soon realized that there is no royal road to wealth and that there is no excellence without labor. He found, too, that honesty is the best policy and that success can be most quickly and surely secured through unfaltering perseverance and close application. These qualities have characterized him throughout his entire life and have made him one of the valued and representative farmers and successful busi- ness men of Farmington township.
C. G. MUESING.
C. G. Muesing, who has resided within the borders of Cedar county for a third of a century, was first identified with industrial interests here as a car- penter of Lowden, afterward conducted a furniture and undertaking establish- ment in that town for a period of eleven years and since 1894 has carried on general agricultural pursuits. His farm embraces one hundred and eighty acres of arable land in Springfield township and in its cultivation he has won a well merited measure of success.
His birth occurred in Westphalia, Germany, on the 22d of April, 1855, his parents being Gottlieb and Marie (Pranger) Muesing, who spent their entire lives in that country. He remained in the fatherland until sixteen years of age and there obtained his education. In 1871 he crossed the Atlantic to the United States, first locating in Indiana, where he learned the carpenter's trade and worked at that occupation for five years. On the expiration of that period, in 1876, he came to Lowden, Cedar county, Iowa, and here continued to work at carpentering until 1883. In that year he embarked in the furniture and undertaking business at Lowden, conducting a successful establishment of that character until 1894, when he disposed of his interests in this connection and purchased one hundred and eighty acres of land in Springfield township. To the further cultivation and improvement of that farm he has devoted his time and energies continuously since and in connection with the tilling of the soil is also engaged in stock-raising.
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As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life Mr. Muesing chose Miss Fredericka Hillman, who was born in Germany on the 24th of Novem- ber, 1860. Her parents passed away in that country and in 1878 she emigrated to the United States in company with her sister and brother-in-law, Diedrich Reinking, coming direct to Cedar county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Muesing have been born six children, namely: C. H., living in this county; Annie, who is the wife of M. B. Pauls, of Cedar county; Minnie, who gave her hand in mar- riage to Emil Ebbert, of this county; and Emma, Carolina and Alfred, all at home.
In early manhood Mr. Muesing gave his political allegiance to the democ- racy, but when that party advocated free silver he became a republican and has since been a stanch supporter of the principles of the latter party. He held the offices of councilman and treasurer while a resident of Lowden, has also acted as road supervisor and for a period of five years served as school director. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Brotherhood at Lowden. He and his wife attend the services of the Evangelical church at that place and are well known and highly esteemed as people of genuine personal worth. Ger- many has furnished to the United States many bright, enterprising young men who have left the fatherland to enter the business circles of this country with its more progressive methods, livelier competition and advancement more quickly secured. Among this number is Mr. Muesing. He found the oppor- tunity he sought in the freedom and appreciation of the growing country. Though born across the water, he is thoroughly American in thought and feel- ing, and is patriotic and sincere in his love for the stars and stripes. His career is identified with the history of Cedar county, where he has acquired a com- petence and where he is an honored and respected citizen.
THOMAS KADLEC.
Thomas Kadlec, a well known and capable farmer living on section 18, Gower township, is numbered among Iowa's native sons, his birth having oc- curred in Johnson county on the 3d of August, 1877. He was, however, only two years of age when brought to Cedar county by his parents, Joseph and Mary (Krofter) Kadlec, both of whom were natives of Bohemia, the father's birth having there occurred on the 2d of May, 1855, while the mother was born January 1, 1858. He was seventeen years of age when he came to the new world with his parents, while Mrs. Kadlec was a little child of two years when her parents crossed the Atlantic, both families settling in Johnson county, Iowa. Joseph and Mary Kadlec are now residents of Scott township, Johnson county, their home being a mile and a half west of West Branch. Their family numbered six children : Thomas, of this review ; Wesley, living at home; Anna, the wife of John Galvin of Johnson county; Emma; May, living with Thomas; and Joseph, at home.
The paternal grandparents were Joseph and Anna Kadlec, natives of Bo- hemia, who spent their last days in Cedar Rapids, Linn county. Joseph Kad-
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lec, Sr., had retired from business and spent his last days in the enjoyment of a well earned rest. He had come to America empty-handed but as the years passed accumulated a handsome competence through his well directed efforts in farming. His family numbered three sons and three daughters, all of whom were born in Bohemia. The maternal grandparents of Thomas Kadlec were James and Mary Krofter. They, too, were born in Bohemia and the year 1860 witnessed their arrival in Johnson county, Iowa. The latter died on the home farm in Cedar township, Johnson county, about fifteen years ago, while Mr. Krofter now resides with his son on the old homestead at the venerable age of eighty-seven years. He, too, came to the United States with only courage and determination to serve as a foundation on which to build his success. He not only won a handsome competence for himself but also aided his children in gaining a good start in life. His family numbered five sons and three daugh- ters.
In his youthful days Thomas Kadlec, whose name introduces this record, attended the public schools and through the winter seasons and in periods of vacation worked on the farm. He thus gained practical experience concern- ing the best methods of tilling the fields and cultivating the crops. Throughout his life he has followed farming and is today the owner of an excellent tract of land of two hundred acres situated on section 18, Gower township. Here he carries on general farming and stock-raising, devoting his attention to the cereals best adapted to the soil and climate and to the raising of such stock as appears to him profitable when placed upon the market. He also owns a half- interest in a lot in West Branch. He has never married and his sister May is acting as his housekeeper. He belongs to the Catholic church at Iowa City and also holds membership in the Modern Woodmen of America. Almost his en- tire life has been spent in this county and all who know him recognize in him an enterprising business man whose close attention to his interests is bringing him a success which numbers him with the representative farmers of the dis- trict.
JULIUS LAGE.
Julius Lage, a representative and successful agriculturist of Farmington township, owns and operates a tract of one hundred and sixty acres of land which annually yields bounteous harvests. His birth occurred in Holstein, Germany, on the 10th of October 1871, his parents being Henry and Magdalene Lage, who still make their home in that country. He obtained his education in the fatherland and there spent the first twenty-seven years of his life, being em- ployed as a farm hand. In 1898, having determined to establish his home on this side the Atlantic, he emigrated to the United States and came direct to Cedar county, Iowa. Here he first worked as a farm hand for three years and then purchased the old home place of his uncle, Hans Lage, the property comprising one hundred and sixty acres in Farmington township. It has remained his place of abode continuously since and is an excellent farming property, the improve-
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ments thereon including a substantial residence, good outbuildings, etc. He has been energetic, industrious and persevering, and in consequence has obtained a gratifying measure of success, not only from growing cereals but also from rais- ing stock-a phase of his business activities to which he devotes considerable at- tention.
On the 14th of February, 1902, in Davenport, Mr. Lage was united in mar- riage to Miss Annie Buck, a daughter of Carl and Dora Buck, who are natives of Germany and emigrated to America in 1899. They are now residents of Farmington township, living on a farm one-fourth of a mile east of our sub- ject. Mr. and Mrs. Lage have four children, as follows: Arnold, who was born on the Ist of August, 1905; Hilda, whose birth occurred May 1, 1907; Edna, whose natal day was July 4, 1908; and Martha, who was born on the 15th of January, 1910.
Mr. Lage gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and is a most loyal and public-spirited citizen. He and his wife are devoted and consistent members of the German Lutheran church, exemplifying its teachings in their daily lives. They have gained many friends throughout the community, having always displayed those sterling traits of character which in every land and clime awaken confidence and esteem.
G. L. PETERS.
The agricultural interests of Cedar county find a worthy representative in G. L. Peters, one of her native sons, his birth having occurred in Springfield township, near Lowden, on the 27th of November, 1862. He is a son of Claus and Louise (Albert) Peters, both natives of Germany, the former of Holstein and the latter of Hanover. The year 1855 witnessed their arrival in the new world, their home being established first in Illinois, while later, about 1860, they removed to Iowa and in this state continued to make their home. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, followed that pursuit in Cedar and Scott coun- ties for a number of years but subsequently retired from active life, selling his farm to his second son and taking up his home in Clarence, where he passed away in August, 1900, at the age of seventy-four years, eleven months and ten days. His wife still survives, at the age of sixty-eight years and makes her home with her daughter in Fairfield township. In their family were five children, who are as follows : G. L., of this review; Caroline, the widow of John Block, making her home in Long Beach, California; Fred, a retired farmer of Clarence ; Minnie, the wife of William Ruther, of Fairfield township; and Henry, also a resident of this township.
G. L. Peters was a little lad of five years when his father sold the farm in Springfield township and removed to New Liberty, Scott county, and there the son spent the succeeding eight years, acquiring his education in the district schools of that county. At the expiration of that period, in 1875, the family returned to Cedar county, locating in Fairfield township, and here G. L. Peters grew to manhood. Upon entering the business world he took up farming as an occu-
MR. G. L. PETERS AND DAUGHTERS
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
pation and was thus engaged in Fairfield township until 1905, in which year he went to Clarence and for four years successfully conducted a real-estate business in that town. Returning to Fairfield township, however, he again took up farm- ing and has since devoted his attention to that field of labor. That he prospered in his undertaking was indicated by the fact that his farm, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres on section 5, well improved and equipped with all mod- ern conveniences for facilitating farm labor, became one of the valuable proper- ties of the community. He recently sold that place and has purchased a well im- proved and valuable farm of one hundred and fifty acres in Pioneer township. He is ranked among the substantial and representative agriculturists of the com- munity.
Mr. Peters was united in marriage on the 31st of March, 1887, to Miss Anna L. Lange, who was born in Illinois on the 14th of October, 1858. She was a daughter of Philip and Clara Lange, natives of Germany, the former born in Saxony and the latter in Berne, and both passed away in Cedar county. Mrs. Peters died February 24, 1904, and she left beside her husband to mourn her loss five children, as follows: Malinda, born May 14, 1888; Paulina, born Sep- tember 8, 1891 ; Iona, born September 16, 1895; Eleanor, born October 4, 1898; and Clara, born August 29, 1900. All are natives of Fairfield township.
The religious faith of Mr. Peters is indicated in his membership in the Ger- man Evangelical church of Clarence, while his fraternal relations are with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Modern Brotherhood of America, both of Tipton. His political support has been given to the democratic party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and for four years he served in various school and road offices, while at present he is a candidate for the office of county clerk. He is a strong advocate of good roads; has also done all in his power to further the efficiency and standard of the school system of the county; and is an active worker in party ranks, where his efforts have been important and influential elements. With him perseverance, diligence and integrity have constituted the guiding posts of life, bringing him to the honor- able position which he now occupies in the opinion of his fellow citizens, their respect and good will being the manifestation of their appreciation for the up- right and manly principles which have ever governed his life.
J. F. ADAIR.
J. F. Adair, cashier of the West Branch State Bank, in the successful con- trol of which his labors constitute an important element, was born in Graham township, Johnson county, Iowa, April 24, 1868. His father, Samuel F. Adair, was a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, born July 24, 1838, a son of James and Lydia (Miller) Adair, who were natives of Pennsylvania, the former having been born near Philadelphia and the latter in Lancaster county. James Adair died in the Keystone state, while his wife passed away in Ohio. They were farming people and had a family of thirteen children, but only one is now living. Samuel F. Adair was the twelfth in order of birth. His brother William
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served as a soldier in the Eleventh Indiana Infantry under General Wallace and in the Fifteenth Indiana Battery, doing active duty at the front for four years.
Samuel F. Adair was reared upon the home farm in his native county until 1854, when he went to Wayne county, Ohio, where he spent a year and a half in farming in connection with an uncle. In the winter of 1856-57 he arrived in Johnson county, Iowa, settling near Oasis, where he continued until after the outbreak of the Civil war. In September, 1861, he responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting as a member of Company B, Fourteenth Iowa Volun- teer Infantry, which later became the Seventh Iowa Cavalry. He served for three years and took part in all the engagements of his regiment, doing active duty on the frontier against the Indians. When the war was over he returned to Johnson county, where he engaged in farming for a few years, at the end of which time he bought a farm three miles north of West Branch in Gower town- ship. There he carried on the work of tilling the soil until 1869, when he sold that property and went to California, where he followed farming for two and a half years. He next located in Oasis, Iowa, where he carried on merchandising for four years, at the end of which time he removed to Cedar county and again took up farming. After twenty-six years he sold that property and came to West Branch. He also spent three years in North Dakota, where he secured a home- stead claim, which he still owns. He has resided in West Branch since 1907 and has now retired from active business life, enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of his former toil. He has served as constable and as township super- visor and has ever been deeply interested in the political questions and issues of the day, giving his support to the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. Fraternally he is connected with the Grand Army of the Republic and with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
In 1858 Samuel F. Adair was united in marriage to Miss Susan Hawley, who was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, and died in California in 1872. The children of that marriage were four in number: Mary, now the wife of O. M. Colip, of North Dakota; J. F., whose name introduces this review; Charles, who is living in Spokane, Washington; and Martha, who died in infancy. In 1873 Samuel F. Adair was again married, his second union being with Sarah Harri- son, a native of England, who came to Iowa with her parents when about five years of age. There is one child of this marriage, Fred, who is now living in North Dakota.
J. F. Adair was born in Graham township, Johnson county, Iowa, April 24, 1868, and was only a year old when his parents removed to California, settling in Lake county. There they lived for five years and following the mother's death returned to Cedar county, Iowa. At that time the family home was established in West Branch, where J. F. Adair has since resided. He acquired a high- school education and also attended the Iowa City Commercial College. He be- came a railroad telegraph operator and for two years was thus connected with the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad. On the Ist of January. 1898, he became connected with the West Branch State Bank as bookkeeper, which position he occupied for seven years, at the end of which time he was promoted to cashier and has since acted in that capacity. The success of the
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bank is due in no small measure to his efforts, for he is most loyal to its interests and does everything in his power to promote its growth and insure its success.
On the 19th of June, 1895, Mr. Adair was united in marriage to Miss Alice L. Kerr, who was born in Ohio, April 2, 1875, and in her early childhood came to Iowa with her parents, Servantes and Hannah (Baldwin) Kerr. Her father is now deceased but her mother is living in Chicago. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Adair have been born two children, Rex S. and Kenneth.
Mr. Adair belongs to Wapsinoc Lodge, No. 181, A. F. & A. M., and to West Branch chapter, R. A. M., of West Liberty. He is also connected with both the subordinate lodge and encampment of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to the lodge at West Branch and to the encampment at West Liberty. He is likewise a member of the Modern Woodmen of America camp at West Branch and he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. His political alle- giance has always been given to the republican party and he has served as a cen- tral committeeman and as town clerk for two terms. He is now filling the posi- tion of town treasurer, which office he has occupied for four terms. He is never remiss, in the duties of citizenship but, on the contrary, fully meets every obliga- tion that devolves upon him whether in public or private life.
CLARENCE RAY AURNER.
It was almost at the beginning of the Civil war when Clarence Ray Aurner was born in De Kalb county, Illinois, not far from the town of Sycamore, in the township of Kingston. His father, O. J. Aurner, has been a farmer throughout his entire life and was with his father when the latter came from Michigan in the '30s, settling in the vicinity of Chicago. About 1870 he re- moved to Iowa. The mother of Mr. Aurner bore the maiden name of Isabel J. Burchfield, and died at the age of twenty-eight years, when Mr. Aurner was five years of age, leaving three daughters as well as the little son. For four years they lived among relatives, being separated most of the time from the mother's death until 1871, when the father married again and made a home on the Iowa prairies in which to rear his children. The grandparents of Mr. Aurner on both the paternal and maternal side came from the state of Penn- sylvania and both grandfathers lived to pass the ninety-second milestone on life's journey.
The country schools furnished the early training of Mr. Aurner and only so much time was allowed as the farm work could spare-three or four months in the year. He began teaching after eleven weeks of review in a private seminary in Waterloo, Iowa, and continued teaching in the winter classes for five years, during which period he spent one term at the State Normal school. He engaged in business for a short time, in 1887, and then disposed of his in- terest, returning to the normal school and completing the full course by gradua- tion in the class of 1891. He obtained his life certificate in 1895 and since his graduation has been continuously connected with educational interests. He was
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principal of the high school at Waverly in 1892-93, and superintendent of schools at Adel and Avoca from that date until 1902, when he resigned to enter the State University, from which he was graduated with the Bachelor of Phil- osophy degree in 1903. He continued his studies during the summer seasons and privately, spending one summer at Harvard and securing the Master of Arts degree from the Iowa State University in 1909. For seven years he was superintendent of the Tipton schools, the longest service of any man among twenty-two incumbents in the office since the school was organized. He re- signed in 1910 and is now pursuing graduate work at the State University for the Ph. D. degree.
In 1896, in Des Moines, Iowa, Mr. Aurner was married to Miss Nellie A. Slayton, a native of this state, who has been teacher before and since her mar- riage in schools with him. She won the Ph. B. degree at the same time as her husband and was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa. Three sons were born to them but only one is now living, Robert, who is twelve years of age. Mr. Aurner is a republican in politics, with independent tendencies in local matters, where he supports the candidates best fitted for the office, exercising his right of franchise without dictation. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias and Ma- sonic lodges, in both of which he has held office. During his student life he was active in the Young Men's Christian Association, and was president of the or- ganization of the State Normal School for two years. For many years he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church but is a firm believer in the ultimate union of Christian people. He loves outdoor life, the freedom of the field and woods, and responds without effort to the call of nature. His pro- fession, however, has confined him largely to the work of the schoolroom as instructor and pupil, for he has remained throughout life a student, utilizing summers and other periods to advance his own knowledge and render his labors more efficient in promoting the knowledge of others.
JOHN KREINBRING.
There is no more worthy success than that which comes as the result of un- faltering industry, earnest endeavor and well defined labor-qualities which have characterized the efforts of John Kreinbring throughout a lifetime of hard toil and unceasing diligence. He was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, on the 8th of June, 1854, a son of Charles Kreinbring, also a native of that country. The father came to the United States in 1858 and while on the voyage across the Atlantic lost his wife and two-year old daughter. Before leaving the father- land he had borrowed one hundred dollars but upon arriving in Davenport, Iowa, had only ten cents and three motherless children. The outlook was indeed dark, but, undaunted by the circumstances, he placed the children in good homes until he could establish another home for them, and at once set about earning a liveli- hood. He was first employed as a day laborer in Scott county, near Davenport, and was similarly employed in Clinton county for two years, after which he en- gaged in farming on rented land for eleven years. Living economically he was at
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