USA > Iowa > Cedar County > A topical history of Cedar County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 57
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
length able to purchase a farm and in 1869 bought one hundred and sixty acres in Cedar county, on which he located the following year. He continued to make his home on that place, which was located on section 4, Springfield township, and there passed away on the 19th of April, 1894. The three sons born of his first union are all yet living, namely : Charles, of Lowden; Fred, residing in Spring- field township; and John, of this review. After the death of his first wife he was united in marriage to Mrs. Sophia Becker, who had two children by a former marriage. Her union with Mr. Kreinbring was blessed with two chil- dren: Mrs. Charles Richmann, of Springfield township; and Mrs. Gus Alberts, now deceased. The second wife also passed away, after which he wedded Miss Sophia Runge, now deceased.
John Kreinbring was only four years of age when he came with his father to America, and, losing his mother at that time, he lived with strangers until his father established another home by his second marriage. In that home he continued to live until twenty-three years of age and then, starting out in the business world on his own account, he wisely chose as his life work the occupa- tion to which he had been reared and has since directed his energies to agricul- tural pursuits. His first purchase made him owner of eighty acres of land, which he acquired from his father. This was but slightly improved, and he de- voted himself to its development and cultivation for seven years, after which he purchased another tract of eighty acres, upon which he erected a house and there took up his abode. In the spring of 1910 he bought the old homestead from his brother Fred, and he is now remodeling it, and in the operation and improve- ment of his three farms his time is fully occupied. All have been brought under a high state of cultivation and annually return rich harvests for the care and attention bestowed upon them. He carries on general farming and is meeting with most gratifying success.
The marriage of Mr. Kreinbring occurred in Cedar county, on the 17th of November, 1876, the lady of his choice being Miss Maria Schramm. She was born in Hanover, Germany, on the 9th of May, 1856, a daughter of John and Margaret (VonMacher) Schramm, both of whom are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Kreinbring have become the parents of seven children, of which number Fred and John passed away in infancy. The surviving members of the family are: Louise, the wife of W. C. Schmidt, of Springfield township; Louis, who married Maggie Miller and resides in Springfield township; Henry, who mar- ried Agnes Gundlack, also of Springfield township; and Amelia and George, both yet at home.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Kreinbring has given his support to the democratic party and for thirteen years served as town- ship trustee and for fifteen years was school director, his long continuance in office indicating in a degree the position of trust and confidence in which he is held by his fellow citizens. He and his wife are members of the Evangelical church, and both enjoy the unqualified respect and esteem entertained for them throughout the community in which they reside. Mrs. Kreinbring is proving an excellent and capable helpmate to her husband and assists in every way possi- ble to further his interests. For years she boarded the school teacher and did
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
her washing for one dollar and twenty-five cents per week. Both are very hard- working people, and as a result of their unceasing toil and of the frugality which is a part of their German birthright, they have accumulated a most comfortable competence and are today numbered among the well-to-do residents of Spring- field township.
CHARLES HEINER.
Agricultural, banking and real-estate circles have all felt the stimulus of Charles Heiner's keen business sagacity, and few men occupy a more prominent place among the citizens of Lowden than he. One of Iowa's native sons, he was born in Clinton county on the 18th of May, 1857, and has therefore passed the half century mark on life's journey. His father, Henry Heiner, was born in Germany but at an early date came to America, casting his lot among the pioneer settlers of Clinton county. Throughout his active life he was engaged in farming but now lives retired in Lowden, having reached the ripe old age of eighty-seven years. His sketch appears on another page of the volume.
Charles Heiner was reared upon the farm, and amid the wholesome scenes and healthful environment of country life he learned clean habits and the value of industry, energy and integrity. He received his mental training in the common schools and remained with his parents on the home farm until attaining his majority. Then, taking up independently the occupation to which he had been reared, he purchased a farm of three hundred and twenty-one acres in Clinton and Cedar counties and there carried on agricultural pursuits for a number of years. It was during this period that he first began to realize the value of those early lessons which had been instilled into his mind under the direction of his father and which bore rich fruit in later years. His efforts in agricultural fields proved most successful, and he continued his labors therein until twelve years ago, when, wishing to enjoy the opportunities offered by city life, he left the farm and took up his abode in Lowden. Two years later he became identified with banking interests, assisting in the organization of the Lowden Savings Bank, of which institution he has been president for the past three years. As chief execu- tive he is carefully managing the affairs of the institution with whose interests his own are so closely identified, and the policy which he maintains in the con- duct of the bank's business is one which has awakened the confidence and trust of the general public. In connection with H. H. Petersen, the cashier of the Lowden Savings Bank, he is also engaged in the real-estate business, their firm being a well known and prominent one. They handle Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa land, and their trade in this direction has reached extensive proportions.
Aside from his successful and important business interests Mr. Heiner is the owner of three hundred and twenty-one acres of valuable land in Clinton and Cedar counties, and also possesses an interest in a quarter section of land in North Dakota, which are sources of gratifying remuneration.
In 1883, in Cedar county, the wedding of Mr. Heiner and Miss Mary Rein- king was celebrated, the bride being a native of Germany. Unto them have been
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CHARLES HEINER
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
born seven children, all daughters, as follows: Anna, the wife of E. B. Miller; and Martha, Elizabeth, Emma, Hattie, Elma and Meta. Interested, as all Ameri- can citizens should be in the politcal situation of the country, Mr. Heiner has thoroughly informed himself concerning the questions and issues of the day and gives stalwart support to the principles of the republican party. The conduct of large business interests, however, has made it impossible for him to enter deeply into political matters, although all measures which touch upon the general welfare and the upbuilding of the community find in him a stalwart advocate. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Evangelical church, the teachings of which he exemplifies daily in both business and private life. His excellent business capacity and the success which has accompanied his efforts in the various channels in which he has labored have won him a foremost place among the most prominent and influential citizens of Lowden. His great popu- larity with his fellowmen, however, has its foundation not so much in the position to which he has attained in the business world as in his kindly disposition, his genial manner and above all the high principles which have ever governed his life. At all times honorable in his dealings with others, his life has ever measured up to the highest standard of manhood, and his is a splendid example of the power and force of earnest effort, of high principle and of right living.
J. W. RORICK.
J. W. Rorick, the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and eighty acres in Inland township, is numbered among the worthy native sons of Cedar county, his birth having occurred in Sugar Creek township on the 18th of April, 1856. His father, William Rorick, was a native of Hanover, Germany, and emigrated to the United States when eighteen years of age, settling on a farm near Bucy- rus, Ohio. In 1851 he took up his abode among the early settlers of Cedar county, Iowa, first residing in the town of Rochester for six years. On the expiration of that period he located on the farm which remained his place of abode throughout the remainder of his life, his demise occurring in 1896 when he had attained the age of seventy-six years. He won a gratifying measure of success in the conduct of his agricultural interests, accumulating four hundred acres of valuable land. He was a lifelong member of the Methodist Episcopal church and daily exemplified its teachings.
While still a resident of Ohio, William Rorick wedded a Miss Wise, by whom he had two children, namely: John, who makes his home in Iowa county ; and Lucinda, the wife of William Allen, of Jefferson, Greene county, Iowa. For his second wife William Rorick chose Miss Julia A. Pirkey, a native of Virginia, whom he wedded in this county. Unto them were born the follow- ing children : J. W., of this review ; Mary E., the wife of Guy Langley, of Sugar Creek township, Cedar county; William L., now deceased, who likewise made his home in Sugar Creek township, this county; and two who died in infancy. The wife and mother was called to her final rest in 1892 at the age of seventy- two years.
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J. W. Rorick remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority and early in life became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist as he assisted his father in the work of. the home farm. When twenty-one years of age he located on his present place, having one hundred and forty acres on section 17, Inland township, which he and his brother purchased from their father. J. W. Rorick subsequently bought his brother's interest and the property has remained in his possession continuously since. He likewise owns another tract of forty acres on section 19, Inland township, and a quarter section of land in Fayette county, making in all three hundred and forty acres. The neat and thrifty appearance of his home farm indicates the supervision of a practical and progressive owner and the many substantial improvements thereon stand as monuments to his industry and en- terprise. He cultivates the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and annually gathers rich crops which find a ready sale on the market. He is a lover of horses and owns some fine specimens of the noble steed. The Farmers Bank at Wilton, Iowa, numbers him among its stockholders.
On the 15th of October, 1885, Mr. Rorick was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A. Smith, a native of Davis county, Iowa, and a daughter of William and Melinda (Evans) Smith, who were born in Kentucky and Indiana respectively. They came to Iowa in 1850, locating in Davis county. William Smith was an agriculturist by occupation and passed away in 1896, being survived for a num- ber of years by his wife, whose demise occurred in 1908. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Rorick have been born three children, namely: Everett, who resides with his father, wedded Miss Nola Reynolds and has one son, James Lester, born Sep- tember 2, 1908; Ada is the wife of John Pearsall, a farmer of Inland township; and Roy is at home.
In politics Mr. Rorick is independent, voting for men and measures rather than party. His wife is a devoted and consistent member of the Presbyterian church. In the county where his entire life has been spent he is widely and favorably known, the circle of his friends being almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances.
H. GRANT HEMINGWAY.
H. Grant Hemingway, who follows farming on section 8, Linn township, is associated with his father in the ownership and cultivation of three hundred and thirty-one acres of land that is as rich and valuable as any in Cedar county. He was born in Springdale township, November 18, 1884, and is a son of A. N. Hemingway, a native of Iowa, where he was reared and married, the lady of his choice being Miss Ada Adams, who was born in Jackson county. Mr. Hem- ingway is a well known business man and farmer of Cedar county, his enterprise and resourcefulness enabling him to carry forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.
H. Grant Hemingway, spending his youthful days on the home farm, learned the practical methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops, nor was his
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
entire attention given to the work of the fields, for his mental training was not neglected. He is a graduate of the West Branch high school of the class of 1904, and reading and observation are constantly broadening his mind, render- ing him one of the well informed men of the district. He remained with his father until twenty-two years of age, and then took up his abode upon the farm where he now resides, his attention being given to the raising of crops and stock. Both branches of his business are proving profitable, indicating his capa- ble management and keen discernment. He makes a specialty of raising hogs and horses, feeding a large number of the former each year for the market.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, Mr. Hemingway has given his support to the republican party, his first presidential vote being cast for William H. Taft. He has been elected and served for one term as assessor of Linn township and has been renominated. He attends and supports the Meth- odist Episcopal church and is a member of the Modern Woodmen camp at Me- chanicsville. A young man of good business ability, he does not regard difficul- ties and obstacles as a bar to progress but rather as an impetus for greater en- deavor. He is widely known in both Cedar and Johnson counties and is rapidly working his way to the front among the representative agriculturists and busi- ness men of the community. That his time is fully occupied with his business affairs may be imagined when it is seen that he superintends and operates a farm of three hundred and thirty-one acres, every rod of which is arable. It is pleasantly situated on section 8, Linn township, not far from Lisbon, so that the advantages of town as well as of country life may be easily obtained.
JOHN WESLEY HORN.
Within the boundaries of Cedar county John Wesley Horn has now made his home for fifty-eight years and has witnessed almost its entire growth and development. He has not only watched with interest its progress but has ma- terially aided in the advancement of the county, especially along agricultural lines. He was born on the 4th of October, 1850, in Bedford county, Pennsylva- nia, of which state his parents, Henry Clark and Ann Maria (Barrick) Horn, were also natives. The family continued to reside in that locality until the fall of 1852, when they came west and settled in Cedar county. During the re- mainder of his life the father lived in or near Tipton, his time and attention be- ing devoted to agricultural pursuits, and he was regarded as one of the most progressive and successful farmers of his community. He was born on the 7th of July, 1822, and died November 19, 1885, while his wife, whose birth occurred December 31, 1819, passed away on the 9th of November, 1901. They were the parents of the following children: Mary Jane, who is now the wife of J. D. Howard and a resident of Denver, Colorado; William F., of Tipton; Amanda Maria, the deceased wife of John Anderson; John Wesley, of this review; James B., deceased; Emma Belle, who died in childhood; Ann Eliza, the de- ceased wife of George Fitzgerald, a resident of Denver, Colorado; Charles Lewis, who died in infancy; and Charles C., a resident of Memphis, Missouri.
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
Being but two years of age when brought by his parents to Iowa, John W. Horn was here reared to manhood, acquiring his education principally in the schools of Tipton, where he attended the high school and later spent a short time at Western College. Since starting out in life for himself he has followed farming and has spent almost his entire life in Cedar county with the exception of a year or two, residing mostly in or near Tipton. For the past fourteen years he has resided in Springdale township and now owns and operates a tract of twenty-five acres, a part of which lies within the corporation limits of the vil- lage of Springdale. At one time he also owned another eighty-acre tract here, which he has sold, and today has two hundred and forty acres in Wyoming, which he purchased on speculation.
Mr. Horn was married October 14, 1875, to Miss Sarah Jane Ross, likewise a native of Pennsylvania, her birth occurring in Franklin county, September 26, 1854. During her childhood she came to Iowa with her parents, John B. and Sarah Ann (Kirkpatrick) Ross, who were born in Pennsylvania and died in Cedar county, Iowa. On coming to this state, however, they first located in Linn county. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Horn, as follows : Frank R., now a farmer of Iowa township; Allie, the wife of Lewis Millett, of Springdale township; Hattie May, the wife of Guy E. Witmer, of Hardin county, Iowa; Grace, the wife of Alva A. Pearson, of Springdale; and Ruth, at home. Besides his own children Mr. Horn has reared and educated a nephew, William Ernest Anderson, who is now express messenger for the United States Express Company at Marshalltown, Iowa.
Since attaining his majority Mr. Horn has affiliated with the republican party and has been called upon to fill several local offices. He has always taken an active interest in educational affairs and most efficiently served as a member of the school board for three years. Religiously both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and they have the respect and confidence of all who know them.
THOMAS HAIN.
The founders of a state are not merely the men who handle the reins of government and control the public policy, but are also those who carry civiliza- tion into hitherto wild regions and develop the natural resources of the state. Such a one was Thomas Hain, who came to Cedar county in pioneer days and from that time to the date of his death, on the 22d of November, 1906, he was numbered among its most helpful, honored and public-spirited citizens.
He was born in Ohio on the 26th of June, 1821, a son of John Hain, in whose family were the following children: Elnathan, Leonard, John, Levi, Eliz- abeth, Sarah, Mary, Rhoda and Thomas. The last named was taken to Tippe- canoe county, Indiana, in his early youth, and it was there that he was reared. In 1847 he came to Cedar county, Iowa, and lived two years, after which he returned to his old home in Indiana. He only spent five years there, however, returning once more to Cedar county, for he was now fully convinced that this
MRS. THOMAS HAIN
THOMAS HAIN
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
state offered splendid opportunities to the agriculturist and he decided to make this a permanent place of abode. He located in Sugar Creek township but after spending some time there, crossed the township line into Rochester, where he continued his operations as a farmer and stock-raiser, making the raising of cattle his chief occupation. He purchased land from time to time and at one period in his life owned almost a thousand acres in Rochester township. He was a careful man of business, was quick to note opportunities for investment, and thus it was that he became a prosperous man.
Mr. Hain was married in 1846 to Miss Ursula Hecathorn, who was born in Indiana, March II, 1826, and resided in that state until the time of her mar- . riage. The children of this union are: Levi J., a resident of Muscatine, Iowa ; Zimri S., a resident of Wilton Junction, this state; Julia, the wife of Charles A. Zeisig, a resident of Rochester township; Linus C., of Haynes, North Da- kota; and Charles S., who is mentioned below. After a happy married life covering more than a half century, Mr. and Mrs. Hain were separated by the death of the husband, which occurred November 22, 1906. Mrs. Hain is still living at the advanced age of eighty-four years, making her home with her son Charles on the farm in Rochester township, which has been her place of resi- dence for so many years.
Mr. Hain was a republican in his political views and affiliations. While he accumulated wealth, he also found time and opportunity to do much for the development and improvement of his home locality and though he has passed from this life his memory will long be cherished not only by the members of his own household but by all who knew him.
CHARLES S. HAIN.
Charles S. Hain, the youngest of the five children in his father's family, was born October 7, 1865, on the farm which is now his home. He was early trained in the work of the fields and continued to assist his father until 1889, when, as a young man of twenty-four years, he left the farm and went to Mos- cow, where he conducted a general store and also handled grain and farm im- plements. He was likewise appointed postmaster of the village. After seven years he disposed of his general stock and implements, handling only grain. In' this connection he also engaged in the manufacture of gun stocks for the gov- ernment. His time was thus spent until his father's death in 1906, when he returned to the home farm and now owns two hundred and eighty acres of the homestead property, which is located on sections 17, 18, 19 and 20, Rochester township, his residence standing on section 19. He has here a well improved property, which is lacking in none of the accessories and equipments usually found on a model farm. He is engaged in general farming and is meeting with success.
Charles Hain was married on the 18th of May, 1895, to Miss Effie L. Parker, who was born in Muscatine county, Iowa, on the 9th of July, 1879, a daughter
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
of Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Parker. Eight children have blessed this union: Ruth, Emmons, Fillmore, Verlee, Mary, Genevieve, Leslie and Linden. Verlee died when but eighteen months old. The family is highly respected in the commun- ity where their friends are numbered by the score.
CHARLES SCHIELE.
Charles Schiele, one of Iowa's native sons, is descended from families which have long been represented in this state. Born in Farmington township, Cedar county, on the 16th of May, 1870, he is a son of Charles L. and Elizabeth (Ber- nick) Schiele, both natives of Saxony, Germany, the former born in Witten- berg, December 16, 1840, and the latter in Rhodensia on the 28th of May, 1849. The father was a son of Carl and Wilhelmina (Wattenberg) Schiele, who came to America at an early day, locating in Iowa, where they passed away. Their family consisted of four sons and one daughter. The maternal grandparents of our subject were Mortz and Augusta Bernick, who also passed away in Muscatine county, Iowa. In their family were three sons and two daughters.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. Schiele, the parents of our subject, came to the new world in early youth, the former at the age of thirteen years and the latter at the age of eleven, the families locating in Montpelier, Muscatine county, and Walcott, Scott county, respectively. They were united in marriage in Muscatine county. Mr. Schiele, however, had previously resided in Cedar county for sev- eral years, and after his marriage continued to make his home in this county for some time, actively engaged in the occupation of farming in Farmington town- ship. He was very successful and at one time owned nine hundred and forty acres of land, all of which he acquired entirely through his own well directed efforts. Upon his retirement from active life, which occurred in 1903, he was the owner of a fine farm of four hundred acres. In the latter year he removed with his wife to Davenport, where they now make their home, enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of their former toil. In their family were five children, as follows: Charles, of this review; Gustave, residing in Durant, Farmington township ; Mortz, of Chicago, Illinois ; Rudolph, a resident of Downey ; and Clara, at home.
On the old homestead in Farmington township, Charles Schiele spent the period of his boyhood, acquiring his early education in the country schools near his father's home and later graduating from the Wilton Academy at Wilton, Iowa. When not busily engaged with his text-books, he assisted in the work of the fields, early becoming familiar with all the tasks that fall to the lot of the country lad. He remained at home until 1900, when he removed to his present farm, where he has since continuously resided. The place, which is located on section 18, Iowa township, consists of three hundred and twenty acres of land, all highly improved and yielding good harvests in return for the care and labor bestowed upon it. Mr. Schiele has made a careful study of agriculture, and that his early training was most thorough and comprehensive and his later methods progressive and up-to-date, is indicated by the substantial success which has
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