USA > Iowa > Cedar County > A topical history of Cedar County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 61
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Frederick W. Owen, a well known and progressive farmer of Center township, whose home is on section 13, was born here on the 22d of October, 1881, being a son of Josiah and Mary J. (Welty) Owen, prominent early settlers of this county. The greater part of his education was acquired in the public schools here but in 1893 he accompanied his parents on their removal to Sheridan, Kan- sas, where the family resided for three years. At the end of that time, how- ever, they returned to Cedar county and since attaining to manhood our subject has devoted his entire time and attention to agricultural pursuits. He is now the owner of one hundred and sixty acres on section 13, Center township, it hav- ing come into his possession in 1907, though he had operated it in connection with his brother for two years pervious to that time. He follows general farming and stock-raising and is also an auctioneer of note, having devoted considerable attention to that business in which he has met with excellent success, particularly in the sale of farm lands.
On the 23d of December, 1908, Mr. Owen was married to Miss Anna M. Brandt of Bennett, Iowa, her parents being Christopher and Mary Brandt, who are natives of Germany and during childhood came to America with their respective parents, who sought homes in this new land of opportunity. Mr. and Mrs. Brandt now live in Inland township, this county. Mrs. Owen was born on a farm near Dixon, Iowa, August 12, 1884, and at the age of three years accom- panied her parents on their removal to Bennett. She began her education in the country schools and later attended the Wilton German-English school at
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Wilton Junction, Iowa, for three years, after which she engaged in teaching for two years. At the age of nineteen she was tendered and accepted a position as clerk in the Bennett Savings Bank and was a faithful employee of that institu- tion for a period of four years, being assistant cashier two years. Mr. Owen is an honored member of the Modern Woodmen of America and is popular in both business and social circles.
L. D. ALBAUGH.
The life record of L. D. Albaugh had covered but three years when he was brought to Cedar county, arriving in 1853. He was reared to farm life and on arriving at years of maturity elected to follow agricultural pursuits with the result that his intelligently directed effort has made him the owner of a farm of one hundred and eighty acres finely located within two and one-half miles of Mechanicsville.
He was born in Carroll county, Ohio, March 4, 1850. His father, William Albaugh, also a native of the Buckeye state, was born in 1828 and was there joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Hosterman, also a native of Ohio. They continued residents of that state until 1853 when, thinking to have better oppor- tunities west of the Mississippi, they journeyed to Iowa, casting in their lot with the early settlers of Cedar county, where the father, whose financial re- sources were somewhat limited, rented land. He gave unrelaxing attention to the development of the property, however, and the practical methods which he followed in cultivating his fields brought to him success that enabled him later to purchase a farm. In the fall of 1898 he lost his wife and, since retiring from active life, now makes his home in Mechanicsville.
L. D. Albaugh was reared on the old homestead and at the usual age entered the public schools, wherein he mastered the common branches of English learn- ing. In the summer season he was trained in the work of the fields and assisted his father in carrying on the home farm until twenty-five years of age. He was then married in Pioneer township on the 7th of October, 1875, the lady of his choice being Miss Louisa Shrope, who was born in Pennsylvania but was reared in this county. She was a daughter of Mrs. Margaret Shrope, one of the worthy pioneer women of Iowa, mentioned elsewhere in this volume.
Following his marriage Mr. Albaugh cultivated rented land for several years and all during that time was actuated by the ambition to own land and, care- fully saving his earnings, he purchased eighty acres of his present farm in 1891. The added stimulus of cultivating his own land and thereby gaining the entire reward of his labors now. proved the motive power in his work, and he began making repairs and bringing the farm into a state of good improvement. As opportunity offered he bought more land and now owns one hundred and eighty acres in his home place. It presents a neat and attractive appearance with its well tilled fields and high bred stock, and he raises and feeds stock, for which he receives a good return upon the market. He has studied the best methods of cultivating his land and enhancing its productiveness and the fields respond in large crops.
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In 1892 Mr. Albaugh was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 10th of June of that year. There were six children by that marriage : Harry, who now carries on a farm in Pioneer township; Elba, who was married but is now deceased; Mamie, who is the wife of Richard Burrows; Cora, the wife of Simon Singer of South Dakota; Pearl, the wife of John Nolan, a resi- dent farmer of Pioneer township; and Orlie, who is married and follows farm- ing in Fremont township. On the 23d of February, 1893, Mr. Albaugh was again married, his second union being with Ida Dwinnell, who was born and reared in Cedar county and is a daughter of Austin Dwinnell, who came to this state from Maine in 1855. There are two children of the second marriage: Irma Leone and Ralph Lorenzo.
Mr. Albaugh proudly cast his first presidential vote for General Grant in 1872, and he has never failed to support the presidential nominee of the party since that time. His study of the vital questions and issues of the day has led him to the belief that republican principles are most conducive to good govern- ment, but he has never been an office seeker and has filled no public positions save in connection with the schools, serving on the school board for a number of years. He has been a resident here from his childhood days, witnessing the growth and development of the county through fifty-seven years. During this period he has seen villages established and develop into thriving towns and cities, has seen wild lands converted into productive farms and telegraph and telephone lines constructed. Cedar county has not been behind other districts in adopting those things which show the onward march of civilization, and Mr. Albaugh has at all times been an advocate of progress and improvement.
CHRISTIAN KROGER.
Christian Kroger, a prominent and progressive farmer of Center township, Cedar county, is one of those who claim Germany as the place of their nativity and in the new world have met with success and prosperity as the result of the wise utilization of the opportunities here offered. Born in Holstein, Germany, on the 8th of May, 1856, he is a son of Paul and Margaret (Grell) Kroger, also natives of that country, where the mother passed away. The father, with his children, crossed the Atlantic to the United States in 1871, making his way direct to Iowa, and he took up his abode in Scott county, remaining there for some time. He then joined his son Christian in Wisconsin, where the latter had gone in 1876, and there his death occurred January 17, 1890.
Of a family of three children Christian Kroger was the second in the order of birth and is now the only surviving member, his elder brother, Henry, pass- ing away in Scott county, while a sister died in infancy. He acquired his educa- tion in the schools of his native land and as a youth of fifteen years accompanied his father on his removal to the new world. Making his home in Scott county, Iowa, for five years, in 1876 he went to Wisconsin, and was identified with agri- cultural interests there for a number of years. He became owner of a farm of two hundred and forty acres in Trempealeau county, that state, which he
CHRISTIAN KROGER
MRS. CHRISTIAN KROGER
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
sold, however, before his return to Iowa in 1894. The summer and fall months were spent in Scott county, and then, in the latter part of that year, he purchased his present farm, comprising one hundred and sixty acres on section 32, Center township, Cedar county. He is also the owner of ten acres of timber land. During the sixteen years of his connection with agricultural interests in this county he has acquired a degree of prosperity that is the logical result of well directed efforts and intelligently applied labors, and his farm, under his wise management, has been brought to a high state of cultivation, indicating in its attractive and well kept appearance the practical and progressive methods of its owner. He has placed many improvements upon the place, and it is now one of the valuable properties of the locality.
It was on May 29, 1879, that Mr. Kroger was united in marriage to Miss Sophia Schmidt, a daughter of Joachim and Sophia Schmidt, both of whom passed away in Wisconsin. The father was a farmer in that state. Mrs. Kroger was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, on the 13th of October, 1859, and as a little maid came with her parents to the United States in 1866. By her marriage to Mr. Kroger she became the mother of seven children, all natives of Wisconsin with the exception of the youngest, whose birth occurred in Iowa. They are as follows: Emma, the wife of George Wehde, of Cass township; Minnie, who passed away at the age of three years ; Fritz, at home ; Ella, who became the wife of Hans Wehde, of Center township; Sophia, also at home; Louise, who died at the age of two years ; and Chris, still under the parental roof.
Possessed of those sturdy elements which are the salient qualities of the Ger- man race, Mr. Kroger has also, during his many years' residence in this country, become imbued with that spirit of progress so characteristic of the American people, and these qualities he has ever manifested in the conduct of his business affairs, becoming one of the substantial and prosperous farmers of Center town- ship and one of the representative ctizens of the community. Both he and his wife were reared in the Lutheran faith and still cling to that belief though they are not members of any church. In politics he is a democrat and has served as school director here for two terms and for nine years during his residence in Wisconsin.
HENRY F. LEWIS.
Henry F. Lewis has been a resident of Iowa township, Cedar county, Iowa, since March 17, 1857, on which date he first opened his eyes to the light of day, and in the meantime has been closely identified with the agricultural growth and development of this section, being well known as a successful and substantial farmer and stock-raiser. He is a son of Isaac W. and Jane E. (Pierce) Lewis, the former born in Columbiana county, Ohio, on the 6th of April, 1834, and the latter near Baltimore, Maryland, February 14, 1835. The paternal grand- parents were William and Elizabeth Lewis, who came to Iowa from Maryland at an early day, the former entering one hundred and sixty acres on the east half of the northwest quarter and the west half of the northeast quarter of sec-
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tion 8, Iowa township, upon which farm their remaining days were spent. Their family consisted of six children, as follows: John S. and Joseph, both deceased ; Cynthia, the deceased wife of Joseph Henry; Isaac W., father of our subject ; Clark, a resident of Missouri; and Lydia, who passed away in infancy. The maternal grandparents were Isaiah and Charlotte (Smith) Pierce, natives of Maryland, who left that state to come to Iowa about 1852. They both passed away in this state. Their family consisted of four sons and four daughters.
Isaac W. Lewis was a lad of twelve years when, in 1846, he came with his parents to Iowa, and here he has since continued to make his home. In early life he was a farmer, continuing to actively engage in that occupation until 1886, when he removed to West Liberty, where he is now engaged in the stock busi- ness, with which he has been identified for many years. He is an extensive property owner, possessing two excellent farms in Iowa township. Unto him and his wife were born five children, of whom Henry F. of this review is the eldest. The others are: Joseph Earl, of California; Inez, the wife of Dr. Woodruff, of Cedar Rapids; and Lottie, who married J. H. Filson, also of Cedar Rapids. One child, Ernest, died when but seven years of age.
In the public schools Henry F. Lewis acquired a good education, passing through consecutive grades until his graduation from high school, and on his father's farm he acquired that broad general knowledge which comes only from a thorough course in the school of experience. Thus he was well equipped for the responsible and practical duties of life when, upon attaining his majority, he started out in the business world on his own account. Wisely choosing the occupation to which he had been reared, he entered upon farming as his life work and has never had occasion to regret his decision, for the success that has attended his efforts is an indication that early environment and training as well as natural inclination all fitted him for this field of endeavor. He is now the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres located on section 5, Iowa township, all highly cultivated, and the improvements upon the place, including a good residence and substantial barns and outbuildings, stand as a monument to his thrift and enterprise. In addition to general farming he engages in stock-raising, and both branches of his business are so conducted as to return to him most gratifying annual remuneration.
In 1884 Mr. Lewis was united in marriage to Miss Susie J. Leonard, who was born in Springdale township on the 21st of September, 1861. She is a daughter of John and Lydia (Dawson) Leonard, natives of Ireland and Penn- sylvania respectively. Mr. Leonard took up his abode in Ohio when a youth of seventeen years, and three years later came to Cedar county, Iowa, with his widowed mother, two sisters and an adopted sister and brother. Here he spent his remaining days, passing away in 1906 at the age of seventy-eight years. His widow still survives and makes her home at West Branch. In their family were two sons and three daughters, but Mrs. Lewis and a sister, Ida Kingsbury, of Iowa township, are the only surviving members. By her marirage to Mr. Lewis the former became the mother of four children, namely: Lon E., of Omaha, Nebraska; Ruby Ida; Ernest Pierce and Henry Fletcher, Jr., both at home. Of this number the eldest daughter, Ruby Ida, graduated from the Springdale high school in 1905 and from the Cedar Falls State Normal School
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with the class of 1909. Choosing teaching as a life work, she became assist- ant principal of the Stanwood high school in 1909, was elected to the same position at the West Branch high school in 1910, and in the latter year was democratic nominee for the office of county superintendent of schools. Pre- vious to taking her course at the State Normal School she had taught for two years in the district schools of Iowa, and that she is well qualified for the work to which she is devoting her life and has given excellent satisfaction in that direction, is indicated by the high positions to which she has been called in the profession.
Early in life Mr. Lewis became interested in the politics of the country and, forming his own opinions and rules of conduct, has given support to the dem- ocratic party and has ever been a worker for the best interests of Cedar county. Having passed his entire life within the borders of this county, he is well known among his fellow citizens, and the fact that many of his best friends are those who have known him the longest is an indication that his salient characteristics are such as inspire and hold regard, esteem and good will.
HENRY W. THEDE.
Among the progressive and up-to-date farmers of Cedar county may be named Henry W. Thede, who, although comparatively a young man, is now the owner of three well improved farms in this county and is recognized as one of the responsible members of the farming community. He was born Au- gust 20, 1864, in Scott county, Iowa, and is a son of Juergen and Maria Cath- erine (Broders) Thede, a sketch of the father appearing elsewhere in this work. Mr. Thede received his education in the district schools of Muscatine and Cedar counties and grew up in one of the noted agricultural districts of the state, acquiring a practical knowledge of the industry to which he has devoted his life.
Instead of seeking his fortune in the city amidst strangers and in the face of a stern competition, that has wrecked thousands of promising farmer boys. Mr. Thede possessed the good judgment to remain upon the farm. As a result. while many others who left the farm twenty-five years ago, attracted by the excitement of the city, are now standing behind the counter at ten or fifteen dollars a week, the subject of our sketch years ago acquired a competence and may now be said to be one of the wealthy men of the community. He remained at home with his father until he arrived at the age of twenty-six years, when he became associated with a life companion and for five years rented land of his father-in-law. By energy and good judgment he attained a stage where he could start independently and bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which he greatly improved and where he now lives. He also owns another farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Farmington township and a third farm of the same area in Fairfield township, all of which are improved. Active and enter- prising in an unusual degree, his efforts have been crowned with success and he is now starting a herd of shorthorn cattle and Duroc Jersey swine, both of
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which give promise of development that will meet a constantly growing demand for high grade animals, now more sought after than ever before. To this work Mr. Thede brings a well trained judgment, which is so important in the breeder and without which no man can build up a reputable herd of pure blooded stock.
In 1891 Mr. Thede was happily united in marriage to Miss Sophia Horn, of Durant, Iowa. Her father was John Horn, a native of Germany, who emi- grated to this country a poor boy and found employment as a railroad laborer, then became a farmer and, starting with eighty acres of land, at his death five years ago was the owner of four farms and was one of the leading citizens of this county. This record is a remarkable evidence of the possibilities in this country for any young man who is willing to work and who will deny himself in early years in order to gain independence as he grows older. The mother of Mrs. Thede was Johanna Rixe before her marriage. She was a native of Ger- many and spent her last years with her daughter in this county. Seven children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Thede: Elma, Albert, William, Elsie, Norma, Le Roy, and Harry, all of whom are living at home.
Mr. Thede affiliates with the democratic party but has never sought politi- cal honors. Although not a member of any religious denomination, he gives liberally toward the support of churches and is known as a broad-minded and patriotic citizen whose aim is to deal justly and to give full value for anything he receives. He is of the type of modern men who feel the quickening pulse beat of the twentieth century and respond to it by enhancing the beauty and value of their surroundings and at the same time contribute in a most important degree to the upbuilding of the community.
H. T. SWART.
Spending almost his entire life upon the farm which is yet his home, H. T. Swart has therefore become well known throughout this section of the county, where he is recognized as one of the successful and substantial business men. Born in Iowa township on the 30th of March, 1859, he is a son of J. H. and Harriett E. (Gifford) Swart, the former born in West Virginia, near Wheeling, on the 22d of June, 1832, and the latter in Athens county, Ohio, December 2, 1833. The mother came to Cedar county in 1855 with her parents, while the father came in same year alone and they were married in this county, after which they took up their abode in Iowa township. With the exception of one year spent in California (1862), J. H. Swart continued to make this his home, engaging in agricultural pursuits until the time of his death, which occurred June 2, 1897. He was a stanch republican in politics and held various township offices. His widow, who still survives, makes her home in West Liberty, where she has resided for the past eleven years. In their family were five children, as follows: Charles B., who has passed away, leaving a widow and two children; H. T., of this review ; Elsie M., the widow of A. S. Watson, who resides in Salt Lake City, Utah; Cora E., who wedded D. E. McCartney, of Griswold, Iowa; and Rebecca, residing with her mother.
MRS. J. H. SWART
J. H. SWART
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
Spending the period of his boyhood and youth upon the farm in Iowa town- ship, H. T. Swart attended the country schools in the pursuit of his education and in the work of the farm, with which he early became familiar, learned lessons concerning the value of industry, energy and perseverance which served as a firm foundation upon which to erect the superstructure of later success. As his strength increased and his experience broadened with the passing of the years, he assumed more and more largely the responsibilities of the home farm and eventually, as the eldest son, was given full control of his father's estate, to the operation and further development of which he has since given his entire atten- tion. The farm consists of one hundred and sixty acres located on sections 17 and 18, Iowa township, and as he has prospered from year to year he has extended his property interests, being now the owner of eighty acres on section 19, one hundred and sixty acres in the state of Wyoming, and also twenty acres of valuable timber land on section 14, Iowa township. The care of his property occupies all of his time, and he has never cared to direct his attention into other channels, preferring rather to concentrate his energies upon his agricultural pur- suits, to which fact, doubtless, is due the degree of prosperity which he has at- tained. Industry, energy and perseverance have ever been the guiding influences of his life and have constituted the salient elements in the success which is now his.
Mr. Swart was united in marriage in 1880 to Miss Annie E. Street, a native of New Jersey, where her birth occurred September 15, 1857. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Street, who were natives of England and came to the United States in 1854, the family home being established in Paterson, New Jersey, where she made her home until the time of her marriage. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Swart have been born four children, namely: Laura G., the wife of Charles Montgomery, of West Liberty, Iowa; Charles J., operating his father's farm of eighty acres on section 19, Iowa township; Rena E., who married Earl Jackson, of West Liberty ; and Jesse H., at home.
In politics Mr. Swart supports the men and measures of the republican party, in the interests of which he is an active worker, and at various times he has been called to public office, serving as township trustee, as assessor for six years and as school officer, in all of which he manifested a public-spirited devotion to duty that won him the high commendation of his fellow citizens. Fraternally he holds membership in the Modern Brotherhood of America at West Liberty, and, having spent almost his entire life within the borders of Iowa township, is well known to a large circle of friends who honor and respect him for the many sterling qualities which are his.
GEORGE STRACKBEIN.
George Strackbein is numbered among the oldest citizens of Cedar county and, at the ripe old age of eighty-two years, is yet hale and hearty. Although not engaged in actual labor, he is, nevertheless interested in the world's work and occupies a prominent place among Cedar county's representative and honored residents. Like many others who go to make up the citizenship of Iowa, he is
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a native of Germany, his birth occurring in Westphalia, on the 12th of March, 1828. In that country he was reared to manhood and in the common schools of the fatherland acquired his education.
In 1854, when a young man of twenty-six years, Mr. Strackbein crossed the Atlantic, resolved to seek his fortune in America-a country which held out to young men of ambition and enterprise opportunities for advancement in busi- ness lines far exceeding those offered in the old country. For a year he resided about seventy-five miles south of St. Louis and then, coming to Cedar county, here worked as a farm hand by the month for a number of years. In the mean- time, however, by reason of his industry, perseverance and frugality-his salient characteristics-he was able to accumulate a goodly sum and, desiring that his efforts should more directly benefit himself, in 1864 he purchased his present farm, consisting of one hundred and twenty acres on section 3, Springfield township. But slightly improved when it came into his possession, he at once directed his energies to its further development, bringing the fields under a high state of cultivation and erecting substantial buildings, so that today it is one of the good homes and valuable properties of Springfield township. In his farming he was most successful, for he carried on his pursuits according to strictly mod- ern and up-to-date methods, made a close study of soil and climate and so care- fully managed his interests that with the passing years his efforts were result- ant forces in the acquirement of a competence which now makes it possible for him to retire from the actual work of the farm and enjoy, in well deserved rest, the fruits of his former toil.
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