USA > Iowa > Cedar County > A topical history of Cedar County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 68
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In his poiltical views Mr. Kimberley was a stanch republican but was never an office seeker. At the time of his death one of the local papers wrote of Mr. Kimberley: "He had a rugged exterior and a manner that impressed a stranger as cold and austere, but within his breast beat the kindest of hearts and no man more enjoyed the rendition of loving service to the poor and needy or more gladly reciprocated the kindly acts of friends and neighbors." In all of his busi- ness life he was honorable and upright and ever dealt justly with those with whom he was associated. Those who know him well entertained for him the highest regard and while he never blazoned his good deeds abroad, there are many to bear testimony to his kindness and to his timely assistance.
H. W. FRANCO.
A neat and attractive farm of one hundred and sixty acres located in In- land township, Cedar county, pays tribute to the well directed efforts of H. W. Franco, whose close- application and wise management in connection with his agricultural interests are proving resultant forces in the attainment of gratifying success.
Mr. Franco was born in Scott county, Iowa, on the 17th of December, 1857, and is a son of Samuel Franco, who was born in Germany on the 19th of March,
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1827. The father came to America in 1856 and in the following year took up his abode in Scott county, Iowa, where he engaged in farming for three years. At the end of that time, or in the spring of 1860, he came to Cedar county and here purchased a farm of forty acres, which he operated in connection with rented land. He still resides on a farm of eighty acres in Center township. He was married in New York state in 1857, to Mary Ann Smeltzer, a native of Ireland, but of German descent. She is still living. To them were born three children: H. W., of this review; Charles; and Rose, the wife of Robert Chapman of Center township. The father has been a life-long democrat, and has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits.
No event of special importance came to vary the routine of life for H. W. Franco during the period of his boyhood and youth, which was spent in his par- ents' home, and in the district schools of Cedar county he acquired a good education. His vacation periods were devoted to the tasks that usually fall to the lot of the country lad, and amid the busy activities of rural life he early became familiar with the best methods of plowing, planting and harvesting. For a period of thirty years he also owned and operated a threshing machine. He remained at home until attaining his majority, when he rented land from his father and began farming independently. The thorough and comprehensive training which he had received on the homestead now proved of great value to him, and he prospered in his undertaking. Later his industry and economy enabled him to purchase a farm, becoming the owner of eighty acres, to which he later added an adjoining tract of eighty acres, so that his home place now con- sists of one hundred and sixty acres. Here he carries on general farming and stock-raising and in the conduct of his affairs is demonstrating the value of industry, energy, close application and determination as features in the attain- ment of success. He early learned the lesson that prosperity must be purchased at the price of earnest, well defined labor, and as the years have gone by his record has been one of continuous activity, in which has been accorded due recog- nition of indefatigable effort and intelligently directed labor.
Mr. Franco laid the foundation for a happy home life of his own in his mar- riage, in 1883, to Miss Emma Ingram, a daughter of Robert and Rosanna (Siple) Ingram. Both parents are now deceased, the father passing away in Canada, in December, 1875, and the mother's death occurring in Cedar county, May 30, 1906. The latter's mother with part of her family came to this county in April, 1878, twelve years after the arrival of two of her children. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Franco have been born four children: Willie and Wella, twins, who were born July 29, 1884, and died in infancy ; Fred C., who married Bessie Kessler, a daugh- ter of Scott S. Kessler, of Bennett, Iowa, and has two children, Dorothy and an infant; and Lester, who married Renna Peirsall, whose mother is living in Bennett.
Mr. and Mrs. Franco are charter members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Bennett and he has served as steward for over twenty years and was super- intendent of the Sunday school for many years. They are well known and popular in the community in which they reside and have a large circle of warm friends. Politically, Mr. Franco is a democrat and is now serving as justice of the peace. He has filled the office of school director and of township trustee,
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and at present is a candidate for treasurer of Cedar county, for which office he is well fitted. Everything pertaining to the material, political, intellectual and moral upbuilding and development of the community finds in him a strong advo- - cate. With him perseverance, diligence and integrity have constituted the guid- ing posts of life, bringing him to the honorable position which he occupies in the opinion of his fellow citizens, among whom he has long lived and labored.
F. W. SCHIELE.
One of the honored and highly respected citizens of Farmington township, Cedar county, was F. W. Schiele, now deceased, who for many years was known as a prosperous and progressive farmer and whose departure occasioned great regret. Mr. Schiele was a native of Prussia, born in the Province of Magdeburg, February 14, 1844, and was the son of Carl and Wilhelmina (Wattenburg) Schiele, both natives of Germany. The family came to the United States in 1856 and settled in Muscatine county, this state, where the father engaged in farming and where he and his wife lived until they were called to their final rest. He was a man possessing the sturdy characteristics of the Teutonic race and found the American republic a freedom and prosperity which are generally the reward of all right-minded men of foreign birth, who seek a home in America.
The subject of our review was educated in the public schools of his native land and at fourteen years of age came with his parents to this country. This movement he has never had cause to regret. In Muscatine county, where the family located, he was married and he and his wife came to Cedar county, locating upon the farm where his widow now lives. The original location con- sisted of one hundred and sixty acres of entirely unimproved land in the open prairie. Mr. Schiele was a man of great energy and determination and set to work with a will which in a few years transformed the wild prairie into a fine farm, placing the land under a high state of cultivation and erecting thereon good and substantial buildings that stand as monuments to his thrift and enter- prise. He engaged in general farming and was very successful. The family now owns five hundred and sixty acres and the home place of one hundred and sixty acres is equipped with modern buildings that are considered among the best in the county. The principal building is a residence which was completed sixteen years ago and is beautifully finished in hard wood and neatly furnished through- out. The comforts and conveniences which are to be seen here on every side are largely the result of the foresight and good judgment of Mr. Schiele, who departed this life March II, 1904.
He was reared in the faith of the Lutheran church, but in this country never affiliated with any denomination, but gave from his purse liberally toward the support of the church. His political sympathies were with the democratic party, the principles of which he believed were most in accord with those of a free government. For several years he served as school director and was for many years before his death a director of the Durant Savings Bank. He brought to
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all the duties and responsibilities of life a conscientiousness and a devotion to the principles of truth and justice that invariably produced satisfactory results.
On March 2, 1869, in Muscatine county, Mr. Schiele was united in marriage to Miss Augusta Paul, who was born in Saxony, Germany, June 3, 1848, a daughter of August and Christina (Wagner) Paul. She came with her parents to the United States in 1856 and the family located in Montpelier township, Muscatine county, Iowa, where the mother died January 16, 1892. Some years later Mr. Paul removed to Cedar county, Iowa, and lived with his daughter until his death April 19, 1903. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Schiele: Frederick W; Emilie; Arminta, who is now the wife of F. H. Kincaid, of Davenport, Iowa, and has two children, Margaret and Loretta; and Edward Albert.
Mrs. Schiele now lives at the homestead with three of her children, and here for forty-two years she has made her home. On this spot she and her husband began housekeeping and for many years she has watched with deepest interest the growth and development of this region, in the progress of which she and those associated with her have been no unimportant factors. In the upbuilding of the community Mr. and Mrs. Schiele performed an important part and their names will always here be associated with everything that is encouraging and that induces to the highest good.
ZADOK ELLYSON.
l'he attractive home of Zadok Ellyson is situated on North Columbus street in West Liberty. Here he is now living a retired life but for many years was closely associated with the farming interests of the county and through his well- directed labors gained the competence that enabled him to put aside further business cares. He was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, April 26, 1828, a son of Robert and Hannah (Butler) Ellyson, who were natives of Virginia and New Jersey respectively. They were married at a point west of Salem, Ohio, and spent the remainder of their days in that locality, the mother passing away with her son Zadok was fifteen years of age. He continued to reside in Columbiana county for a long period and married again. By his first marriage he had nine children, of whom one died in infancy, while six are yet living. By his second marriage there were three children, all of whom yet survive.
Zadok Ellyson spent his youthful days amid the conditions and environments of pioneer life in Ohio. His educational privileges were somewhat limited but reading and observation has made him a well informed man. He was a young man of twenty-six years when he came to Cedar county, Iowa, with his brother Benjamin. He located in Gower township, where he lived until 1861, when he removed to Iowa township, where he maintained his abode throughout the re- mainder of his active connection with business affairs. His entire life was devoted to farming and stock-raising and he became the owner of two hundred and forty acres of land on sections 30 and 31, Iowa township. Year by year he carefully
O
MR. AND MRS. ZADOK ELLYSON
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and systematically managed his property and year by year he gathered good harvests as the reward of his labor. He found for his crops a ready sale on the market and as time passed by he prospered, operating his farm until 1902, when he began the erection of his present residence in West Liberty. The following year he removed to the town where he now makes his home, enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves.
In 1861 Mr. Ellyson was united in marriage to Miss Malinda J. Wolf, a most estimable young lady, who has been a faithful companion and helpmate to him on life's journey. She was born in Canton, Ohio, January 18, 1838, and came to Cedar county with her parents in 1856. She is a daughter of Jacob and Catherine Ann (Smith) Wolf, the former born in Pennsylvania, June 14, 1803, and the latter in Maryland, February 29, 1808. They were married on the 23d of September, 1828, and Mr. Wolf died December 17, 1868, while his wife passed away September 1, 1890. He filled the position of postmaster at Canton, Ohio, and engaged in merchandising at different times in Canton and Harrisburg, Ohio. He likewise filled the office of postmaster in the latter place and his record as a public official was as creditable as his record as a merchant. He taught school for many years in his younger life and when a boy was apprenticed to the shoemaker's trade, this being his first occupation. In later years he concentrated his energies upon agricultural pursuits and became a well known and representa- tive farmer of Gower township, Cedar county. Both he and his wife died at the home of their daughter, Mrs. Ellyson, in Iowa township. They were highly esteemed because of their many excellent traits of character and their devotion to all that they believed to be just and right between themselves and their fellow- men. They had a family of four sons and four daughters: Newton, who died unmarried; Elizabeth, the wife of Thomas Morgan, of Searsboro, Iowa; Judge William Penn Wolf, deceased, of Tipton, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume; Catharine A., who became the wife of Jackson Binegar and died in South Dakota, March 7, 1910; Malinda J., now Mrs. Ellyson; Blair, who is a resident of Winterset, Iowa; Michel, the wife of Brinton T. Gruwell, of West Branch; and Garrison A., who died at the age of four years.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ellyson has been born four children: Albert W., of Citronelle, Alabama, who has served as postmaster there for twelve years ; Edwin P., who is living on the home farm near Downey, Iowa; Ella M., the wife of George Gause, of West Liberty; and Dr. Charles W. Ellyson, a practicing phy- sician of Alta, Iowa.
In his political views Mr. Ellyson has always been a stalwart republican from the organization of the party and has taken an active interest in all matters of citizenship, contributing in substantial measure to the work of public improve- ment and progress. He has served as township trustee, as road officer and has been president of the township board of education for several years. He is a birthright member of the Society of Friends and is still connected therewith. He was president of the Union District Agricultural Society for ten years and has been identified with it for almost fifty years, acting as one of its directors since its organization. This society was established at Springdale in 1856, while later headquarters were removed to Wapsie and afterward to West Liberty. Mr. Ellyson is not now associated with the organization, giving way to his sons
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and to younger people. He has passed the eighty-second milestone on life's journey but still manifests a deep interest in matters of public ocncern and is numbered with the respected and valued citizens of the community whose efforts have constituted a potent force in the upbuilding and improvement of Cedar County.
THEODORE LINDER.
Theodore Linder, living a retired life in Bennett after many years devoted to farming, is one of the public-spirted men of Cedar county who is well worthy of a place among the representative citizens of the county. He was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, March 14, 1845, his parents being Henry and Catherine Linder, also natives of Germany. His mother died when Theodore was a young boy and the father came to the United States, settling in Daven- port in 1866. Being a poor man, he worked for others at farming all his life, and died at the age of seventy-six years in Scott county, Iowa. He brought three children with him to this country, the daughters being Dora, the wife of Charles Bapke, of Moline, Illinois; and Elizabeth, the wife of Castin Lundt, of Grundy county, Iowa.
Theodore Linder attended school in Germany and acquired a fair education. He was twenty-one years old when he landed in Davenport and he worked upon a farm for a year after locating there. He learned the trade of shoemaking but soon returned to farming, renting land for nine years and meeting with very good success, as he was a worker who knew not fatigue and was an able mana- ger. In 1887 he came to Cedar county and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of improved land in Inland township. There he lived and labored, con- stantly improving the place until it became one of the finest in the locality. Just six years ago he retired from active farming and removed to Bennett, where he has since resided. In addition to his own homestead he owns one hundred and sixty acres of land in Fairfield township, Cedar county, and town property in Bennett.
On January 4, 1877, Mr. Linder married Miss Wilhelmina Hein, who was born in Schleswig-Holstein, July 19, 1852, and came to the United States at the age of eleven years with her parents, Carl and Dora Hein. Her parents were also natives of Germany, and both passed away at their home in Davenport. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Linder, namely: Henry, who mar- ried Amelia Rock and is the father of two children, making his home upon the old Linder farm in Fairfield township; Dora, the wife of Herman Schultz, of Scott county, and the mother of one child; Theodore, Jr., who married Laura Rock and has charge of the old homestead in Inland township; and Hermina, the wife of Otto Peterson, of Farmington township.
Mr. and Mrs. Linder were reared in the Lutheran faith and still attend the church of that denomination, although not at present members of any. In politics Mr. Linder is a democrat and has served as school director for some time. He has also been road supervisor of the township and is one of the men
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who has given of his time toward the development of the best interests of the community. Generous and public-spirited, he is the friend of all who know him, being esteemed as much for his kindly disposition as for his position in the busi- ness and agricultural world. He is essentially a self-made man, his start in life being made in a shoe-shop, and he owes his present position and success to none save himself, as he has made his way to the place he occupies alone and unaided.
HENRY MILLER.
Henry Miller is one of the prosperous agriculturists of Farmington town- ship, deriving an excellent annual income from a farm of two hundred and eighty acres, while through the raising and feeding of stock he yearly augments his capital. His birth occurred in Mecklenburg, Germany, on the 3d of December, 1856, his parents being Henry and Sophia (Moeller) Miller, who were born, reared and married in that country. The father's natal day was May 17, 1830, while the mother's birth occurred in March, 1828. In 1856, when our subject was but two months old, they crossed the Atlantic to the United States, making their way direct to Scott county, Iowa, where Henry Miller, Sr., first rented a tract of forty acres of raw prairie land. He broke it with a yoke of oxen and subsequently devoted his attention to the operation of a rented farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Scott county. In 1867 he purchased a quarter sec- tion of land in Farmington township, Cedar county, afterward added an adjoin- ing tract of similar size and still later bought one hundred and sixty acres more, the last tract being now in possession of our subject. Therefore his holdings embraced four hundred and eighty acres of land in this county and in the conduct of his farming and stock-raising interests he won a most gratifying measure of success. He made all of the improvements on his farms and brought his land under a high state of cultivation. Unto him and his wife were born eight chil- dren, all of whom still survive, namely: Rica, a native of Germany, who is the widow of Christian Paustain, of Shelby county; Henry, of this review; William, Theodore and Charles, all of whom were born in Scott county, Iowa; Matilda, who is the wife of William Schneekloth, of Minnesota; Emma, who gave her hand in marriage to Julius Stoterau and likewise resides in Minnesota; and Ida, the wife of George Merchant, of Clay county, Iowa.
In the acquirement of an education Henry Miller, Jr., attended the district schools of Scott and Cedar counties and when his studies were completed he assisted his father in the work of the fields. On starting out as an agriculturist on his own account he rented one hundred and sixty acres of his present farm from his father and when the latter's estate was settled he purchased the tract,' at the same time also buying one hundred and twenty acres adjoining. His land holdings therefore embrace two hundred and eighty acres and in con- nection with the tilling of the soil he also handles stock, making a specialty of Aberdeen Angus cattle. The place presents a most neat and attractive appear- ance, bringing to the owner year after year rich harvests and a gratifying financial income.
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On the 11th of March, 1885, in Scott county, Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Annie Severin, a daughter of John and Catherine (Goblehy) Severin, early settlers of that county. Both are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Miller now have four children, as follows: Albert T., who was born on the 26th of January, 1886; Harry J., whose natal day was December 18, 1890; Dorothy J., whose birth occurred on the 30th of January, 1893; and Sophia, who was born December 9, 1894.
Mr. Miller casts an independent ballot at local elections but supports the democracy where national questions and issues are involved. He served as secretary of the school board for seventeen years and proved an able incumbent in that position. His fraternal relations are with the Knights of Pythias at Sunbury, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the German Lutheran church, with which his wife and children are also identified. He has spent practically his entire life in this part of the state and enjoys an extensive and favorable acquaintance here.
ORACE M. CULVER.
To omit from these pages the life record of Orace M. Culver would be to sever an important link in the chain of the pioneers which connects the past with the present history of Cedar county. Born in Cuyahoga county, Ohio, on the 14th of June, 1821, he was a son of Gabriel Culver, who was born in Canada of English antecedents. The father, removing to Ohio, settled near Cleveland when a young man and there married Philura Brown. In 1838 he came with his family to Cedar county, where he followed the pursuit of farming during his active life.
Orace M. Culver was eighteen years of age when he accompanied his parents to this county. The trip was made overland in the primitive mode of travel of those times, which at best required many days for the tedious journey. With a horse, "Old Bob," that his father had secured in exchange for a bushel of potatoes, hitched in the lead of a yoke of oxen and Orace at the helm, they made their way to the then wild prairies of the Hawkeye state. Settling in Cedar county, they built a log cabin where Winfield Busier now lives. In this cabin, containing only one room, three families-the Culvers, Mudges and Cooks-lived during the winter. All were ill but Orace Culver, who arose at three o'clock in the morning and pounded up corn for bread until daylight, when he began the day's work. His father constructed a rude mill, which was used by the family and their neighbors. In those days the Indians gave the settlers much cause for uneasiness but in time the hardships and privations of pioneer life gave way before an advancing civilization.
Orace M. Culver taught the first school in Center township in the Burr Oak schoolhouse. As soon as he attained his majority he entered land from the government and although he commenced business life without capital and re- ceived no material aid from any one, by force of his energy and business sagacity he worked his way steadily upward. As he found opportunity and his
MR. AND MRS. ORACE M. CULVER
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financial resources increased, he added to his holdings until at one time he was the owner of eight hundred and seventy-five acres of land and was largely engaged in feeding stock. The cultivation of the fields and the raising of stock both proved profitable sources of income. He shipped the first carload of cattle from Cedar county to Chicago. He also owned the first tread-power threshing machine in this county, going to Chicago with a team to haul the machine back home.
On the 14th of June, 1843, Orace M. Culver was married to Miss Lucy Ann Cook, a native of Ohio. Their happy married life was of short duration, for Mrs. Culver died in August, 1845, leaving a little daughter, Cornelia, now the wife of J. H. Bolton, of Tipton. Mr. Culver was married a second time, in 1848, when Miss Barbara Catharine Harry became his wife. She was born in Harrison county, Indiana, in 1826. Unto them were born nine children, eight of whom reached years of maturity. John D., is now deceased; Alfred L. is living in Adair county, Iowa; Jennie P. makes her home in the same county ; Orace Alvah has also passed away; William P. is living in Adair county ; Walter died in infancy; Dolby R. is deceased; Lucy is the wife of George W. Garey, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume; and Blanche N. died at the age of twenty years. The mother departed this life on the 7th of May, 1895, and the father passed away in Adair county in January, 1907, having reached the ex- treme old age of eighty-six years.
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