USA > Iowa > Cedar County > A topical history of Cedar County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 69
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Mr. Culver was many times solicited by his fellow citizens to accept public offices but seldom consented, caring more to give his undivided time to his large farming interests. He was a writer on horticultural and agricultural subjects and many of the articles from his pen appeared in the leading journals devoted to those industries. In politics he ever gave his allegiance to the republican party. In religious faith he was a Protestant Methodist and contributed liberally from his purse to the support of the church. A man charitably inclined, he was ever ready to extend aid to the needy, sympathy to those in sorrow and counsel to those who sought the opinion of one of excellent judgment and large experience.
AARON WISENER.
For thirty-nine years Aaron Wisener has been a resident of Cedar county, during which time he has devoted his attention largely to general farming and his active and well spent life has gained for him a creditable position in the regard of his fellow townsmen. He has now passed the seventy-second mile- stone on life's journey, his birth having occurred in Montgomery county, Ohio, about sixteen miles north of Dayton, on the 26th of July, 1838.
His parents were John and Nancy (Rinard) Wisener, both of whom were natives of Ohio. The mother died in that state when the son Aaron was nine years of age and the father afterward married again. In 1865 he came to Cedar county, Iowa, where he spent his remaining days, and for two or three years was a merchant in Tipton. In the family were two sons, the elder being Amos Wisener, who is now a resident of Tipton.
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In Montgomery county, Ohio, Aaron Wisener was reared and educated and made his home until 1864, when he came to Cedar county, Iowa, where he has since lived. While his life has been less conspicuous than that of a man who gives his attention to political or military service, it none the less deserves recognition because of his fidelity to the duties that have devolved upon him. He has always followed farming with the exception of five years spent in the lumber business at Tipton. At one time he was the owner of a two hundred acre farm in this county. He resided in Tipton for about twenty years and drove to and from his farm during part of that period.
In 1862 Mr. Wisener was united in marriage to Miss Mary Marker, who was born in Darke county, Ohio, March 27, 1843, and is a daughter of Martin and Margaret (Weaver) Marker, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Ohio. In the latter state her parents spent their last days and the father long devoted his attention to farming there. They had a family of three sons and six daughters. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wisener have been born eight children : Clara Florence, who is now the wife of James Britcher, of Tipton; Minerva Elizabeth, who is the wife of Clarence Safley, of Tipton; William, who is the editor of the Tipton Conservative; Lawrence, who died at the age of seven years; Perrian, who died at the age of fifteen years ; Lulu May, the wife of John Caldwell of Mechanicsville; Rosetta, who is the wife of Russell Casad of Tipton ; and Lloyd, who is living in Grangeville, Idaho.
HANS D. IWERS.
Germany has contributed many successful and substantial representatives to the citizenship of Iowa who, coming to the new world in the hope of finding better advantages in business, have here found the opportunities which they sought and, in the recognition and utilization of those opportunities have won substantial prosperity. Especially true is this of those who, leaving their native country in the very beginning of manhood, when ambition and enthusiasm are at their highest, brought to this, the starting point of their career, a spirit of energy and determination which in later years proved a salient factor in the acquirement of success. To this class belonged Hans D. Iwers, who left the fatherland as a young man, with no capital or favoring circumstances to assist him in gaining a start in a strange land, and by untiring effort and unfaltering diligence worked his way steadily upward until, at the time of his death, he was numbered among the substantial farmers and large landowners of Inland town- ship, Cedar county.
His birth occurred in Holstein, Germany, in 1823, and in that country he spent his boyhood and youth. As a young man he came to the United States, drawn across the water by the rumors which he heard concerning the opportuni- ties here offered in business lines, and, making his way to Iowa, first located in Scott county, where he engaged in farming for a number of years. The year 1867 witnessed his arrival in Cedar county, and here he was identified with agricultural pursuits until the time of his death. The years which intervened
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since he became identified with agricultural interests in Iowa were years of con- tinuous activity, characterized by close application, unceasing industry and wise management. Few men more rightly deserve the proud American title of a self-made man, for, starting out in life empty-handed at an early age, he was the owner of eight hundred and eighty acres of rich and productive land in Cedar county at the time of his death, the result entirely of his own well directed efforts.
Mr. Iwers was united in marriage to Miss Caroline M. Krebs, a native of Germany. He passed away on the old homestead in Inland township on the 5th of September, 1898, and is survived by his wife and their three sons, Henry, John and William. The mother, who is seventy-six years of age, keeps house for her sons, all of whom are unmarried and reside at home. They operate one hundred and sixty acres of the home farm, the remainder of which is leased, returning to the estate a most gratifying annual rental. They are progressive farmers, carrying on agricultural pursuits according to the latest and most modern methods, and their efforts also are proving resultant forces in the acquirement of success. They live the quiet life of the farmer, having no desire to figure prominently in public affairs, but they enjoy the unqualified respect and esteem of their fellow citizens who honor them for their many excellent traits of character.
JAMES J. SPEAR.
James J. Spear, one of the progressive and substantial agriculturists of Red Oak township, was born near his present home in the same township, December 12, 1862. His parents were John and Susan (Smith) Spear, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of England. With the hope of bettering their condition they sailed for the new world in 1854 and were married in this country. Through- out his active business life the father followed farming but is now living retired in Stanwood. His wife died on the home farm. Of their seven children our subject is the eldest, the others being: Robert, now a resident of Winnipeg, Canada; Margaret, the wife of Ezra Dodson, of Stanwood; Anna, the wife of James Gamble, of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Charles, of Stanwood; William, living on the home farm; and Benjamin, of Makaroff, Canada.
Becoming thoroughly familiar with the work of the farm during his boyhood and youth, James J. Spear wisely chose that occupation as his life work when he started out for himself. He had received a good practical education in the common schools and also attended the Tipton high school for two years. It was in 1891 that he began farming on his own account upon his present place and he has steadily prospered in his undertakings, being now the owner of not only the old homestead, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres on section I, Red Oak township, but also forty acres in Fremont township and eighty acres in Fairfield township. He has given to his place the name of the Wald Stock Farm because he is successfully engaged in the breeding of fine stock, having fifty head of registered Angus cattle, thirty head of Clydesdale horses and
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seventy-five Duroc Jersey hogs. He exhibits his stock at the various fairs and has won many premiums. In connection with his agricultural interests Mr. Spear is identified with other business affairs, having served as president of the Stanwood Bank for three years and now vice president of the Union Savings Bank of Stanwood since the union of the Stanwood Savings Bank and the Citizens Savings Bank. He is a man of more than ordinary business ability and as a financier is farsighted and progressive as well as conservative. Besides the property already mentioned he owns a half section of land at White Lake, South Dakota, and a quarter of a section in Manitoba, Canada. Religiously he is identified with the Methodist Episcopal church of Stanwood, and his life has ever been in harmony with his professions.
On the 18th of March, 1891, Mr. Spear was united in marriage to Miss Marian Finley, a daughter of James and Martha (Hamilton) Finley, who were natives of Scotland and came to the United States about 1850. For a few years the father was employed in a carpet factory in Massachusetts but in 1858 brought his family to Cedar county, Iowa, locating on a farm in Dayton township, where he continued to make his home until his death on the 26th of June, 1890. Mrs. Finley had passed away some years previously, dying in 1884. Mr. and Mrs. Spear have three children: Floyd R., born April 2, 1893; James Rolland, born December 5, 1895 ; and Florence Margaret, born March 12, 1900.
PETER L. AYRES.
For more than a half century Peter L. Ayres has made his home within the borders of Cedar county, where he was born, and his continuance therein is proof of the fact that he has found it a most attractive and desirable place of residence. His appreciation of the value of its lands as a matter of investment is also attested in the fact that he is today the owner of more than eight hundred acres of valuable property, constituting him one of the extensive landowners of his section of the county.
It was on the 27th of February, 1857, that he first opened his eyes to the light of day, his parents being David and Mary Ann (Walter) Ayres. The father, who was born in York county, Pennsylvania, in July, 1821, came to Cedar county in 1854, locating in Sugar Creek township, and here he engaged in general farming and stock-raising for many years. His first purchase made him the owner of a farm of eighty acres, and that he prospered in his agricultural pursuits is indicated by the fact that later he was able to add to his original pur- chase, becoming the owner from time to time of first a forty-acre farm, then two eighty-acre tracts, two one hundred and sixty-acre farms, one hundred and twenty acres, two forty-acre tracts, another eighty acres and finally forty acres of timberland, until he was the possessor of nine hundred and twenty acres of valuable and productive property. A part of this land Mr. Ayres leased, but the greater portion he operated in connection with his sons. He was a republican in politics, served as school director for years and was treasurer of White Pigeon independent school district. Outside of this, however, he filled no public
PETER L. AYRES AND FAMILY
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offices, being too busily engaged with his business interests to figure in public life. He was well known, however, and the Ayres family was one of the most prominent of the early pioneer families of Cedar county, the town of Ayres- ville in Farmington township being named in their honor. In religious faith Mr. Ayres was a member of the Church of God.
He was married in Pennsylvania in 1840 to Miss Mary Ann Walter, who was born in. the Keystone state, where her parents spent their entire lives. Unto this union were born eleven children, seven sons and four daughters, six of whom still survive, as follows: L. N., who resides in Wilton, Iowa; Mrs. Eliza- beth Ford, of Sugar Creek township, Cedar county; Mrs. Amanda Kenaston, of Butte, Nebraska; H. B., also of Wilton, Iowa; Peter L., of this review; and Mrs. Marietta McCrosky, who lives in Center township, Cedar county. The mother of this family still survives and makes her home on the old home- stead farm. She has reached the remarkable old age of ninety-one years, her birth having occurred in Venango county, Pennsylvania, in September, 1819.
The period of his boyhood and youth was spent by Peter L. Ayres in the usual manner of the country lad, the summer seasons being devoted to the work of the home farm, while in the winter months he attended the district school in the acquirement of an education. He remained at home until twenty-three years of age, and then for three years he rented one of his father's farms. At the expiration of that period he purchased eighty acres in Inland township, on which he now lives. He confined his efforts to the operation of this farm for seven years, and then purchased the adjoining eighty acres, which he worked in con- nection with his original farm, and at various times he bought additional land until today an excellent property, consisting of eight hundred acres of farm land and twenty-five acres of timber land, all in Cedar county, stands as the visible evidence of his industry, perseverance and thrift. For several years he was engaged in general farming-years characterized by unceasing labor, close application and well directed efforts, which qualities found their reward in con- stantly increasing prosperity until, in 1897, he was able to retire from active business life in the possession of a goodly competence. He continues to make his home on his farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Inland township and gives his attention chiefly to the management of his farming interests. He is numbered among the large landowners of his section of the county, and his extensive property holdings are a source of most gratifying annual income.
It was on the 5th of February, 1880, that Mr. Ayres was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Daut, a daughter of Peter and Rose (Snell) Daut, early settlers of Cedar county. Her father was born in Germany in 1822 and when a young man he came to the United States, settling in Pennsylvania, where he was married to Rose Snell, also a native of Germany. After his marriage he ran a bakery for a few years in St. Louis, Missouri, but removed to Cedar county, Iowa, in 1853, and farmed for many years in Sugar Creek township. His death occurred in May, 1903, and the mother of Mrs. Ayres passed away in March, 1900. They were the parents of ten children.
With the passing years the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ayres was blessed with four children but only three are now living. Lena Lenora, the first born, was killed by a kick from a horse at the age of thirteen years, four months and
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nine days. The surviving members are: Cora, the wife of H. C. Myer, of Center township; Lula, who wedded Rudolph Sebelien, of Farmington township; and Tarry Viola, residing at home.
The parents are members of the Church of God, the teachings of which form the guiding influence of their lives, and in politics Mr. Ayres is a republican in national matters. Where local questions are at issue, however, he casts an independent ballot, believing that men best equipped for the responsibilities of the office should serve regardless of their party affiliation. His influence is at all times given on the side of the most desirable measures, and he is ever interested in that which works for the betterment and advancement of the com- munity. Having spent his entire life in Cedar county, his record is well known to the residents of his locality, who honor him no less for his excellent traits of character than for the substantial success which he has attained in agricultural lines.
O. C. PENNOCK.
The enterprise of the individual and his intelligent and well directed effort constitute important factors in the growth and upbuilding of a community at large as well as factors in his own success. O. C. Pennock, therefore, is con- tributing to the business activity of Cedar county by his association with one of its strong financial enterprises, as he is now president of the Citizens Savings Bank at West Branch. He was born in Stark county, Ohio, June 12, 1846, and is a son of Isaac and Rebecca (Enlow) Pennock, both of whom passed away when their son was only about four years of age. The father was a native of Pennsylvania and the probability is that the mother was also born in that state. They had but two children, the younger being a daughter, Mary J., who is now the wife of James Clemson, who is living near Salem in Columbiana county, Ohio.
At the death of his parents O. C. Pennock went to live with an uncle near the old home and remained with him until twenty-one years of age. He found a good home with his aunt and uncle, Samuel and Hulda Enlow, who spent three years in Jennings county, Indiana, before their removal to Cedar county, Iowa, in the fall of 1866. They drove across the country to this state and O. C. Pennock assisted in driving two cows. When they were on the way he was some distance behind his aunt and uncle, giving his attention to the work of driving the cows. It was the time of the presidential campaign of 1856 and he yelled "hurrah for Fremont." Two men hearing him were so very angry that he narrowly escaped thrashing. His experiences were those of the farm boy who attends the country schools and works in the fields. He early became familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist and he learned the value of industry and perseverance. When twenty-one years of age he was married and came to Cedar county, Iowa, arriving in the fall of 1856, in company with his uncle. He located in the Honey Grove neighborhood, four miles northeast of West Branch. After his marriage he began farming on his own account and was continuously identified with the cultivation of the
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soil until six years ago, when he came to West Branch. He was the owner of twenty-five acres of good land, which he brought under a high state of cultiva- tion and which upon his retirement from farm life he sold to his son, who now resides upon it. During the years which have. since come and gone O. C. Pennock has given his attention to the banking business, having been president of the Citizens Savings Bank since 1903. Through the previous year he had been one of the directors of that institution and in assuming its control he brought to the management of the business keen discernment and unfaltering enterprise, together with a comprehensive knowledge of the banking business. He is also interested in real estate and has made extensive and judicious invest- ment in property. He is likewise the president of the West Branch Electric Light Company.
Mr. Pennock was united in marriage to Miss Anna Hawley, who was born in Stark county, Ohio, in 1848, and in 1852 came to Iowa with her parents, Joseph and Alice Hawley. She died in 1887. By her marriage she had become the mother of six children: Samuel, who died at the age of twenty-six years, leaving a widow and two children; Alice, the wife of Fred Alban, of West Branch; Charles O., a resident of Oklahoma; Mary, who died at the age of nineteen years; A. L., living on the home farm; and Linna, the wife of John Thompson, of West Branch.
In his political views Mr. Pennock has always been a stalwart republican, supporting the party from the time when in his youthful ardor, at the age of ten years, he awakened the anger of the two men by hurrahing for Fremont. While living upon the farm he served as justice of the peace for twenty years and for four years has held the same office in town. He has likewise been a member of the school board and is a member of the Presbyterian church. It is thus evident that he is interested in the political, intellectual and moral progress of the community as well as in its business advancement, and all who know him recognize in him a valued citizen.
CHARLES S. ALEXANDER.
Charles S. Alexander, a progressive and enterprising farmer and stockman of Cedar county, is the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of land on sec- tion 29, Pioneer township, and has brought the place under a high state of culti- vation and improvement. His birth occurred on the farm where he now resides, his natal day being May 8, 1859.
His father, J. C. Alexander, who was born in New York in 1812, was thrown upon his own resources early in life, being left an orphan at the age of seven years. When a young man he established his home in the west, being married in Linn county, Iowa, to Miss Susan Smyth, a native of Ireland, who spent the first fifteen years of her life in that country. General agricultural pursuits claimed his attention throughout his active business career and his first purchase of land made him the owner of a tract of eighty acres, which he cleared and developed. As his financial resources increased he extended the boundaries of the farm by additional purchase until it embraced one hundred and eighty-five
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acres of land in Linn and Cedar counties, being located on the county line. He served in the capacity of justice of the peace and also held other local offices of honor and trust. He passed away on the 9th of August, 1876, when sixty- four years of age, being long survived by his wife, who was called to her final rest on the 30th of October, 1904. Unto them were born three sons and three daughters, the record of whom is as follows: William, who was reared and married in this county, remained a successful business man of Mount Vernon until the time of his death, which occurred on the 12th of August, 1909. Robert J. is now engaged in business at Waukon, Iowa. Charles S., of this review, is the next in order of birth. Jennie and Anna M. are both residents of Mount Vernon, Iowa. Martha E. is the wife of W. H. Cook, of Webster City, Iowa.
Charles S. Alexander was reared on the home farm and supplemented his early education, obtained in the common schools, by one year's study at Cornell College. Soon after his father's demise he took charge of the old homestead place, purchased the interest of the other heirs therein and succeeded to the ownership of the farm. He has since remodeled the house, erected a large, substantial basement barn, fenced the fields and in fact has made practically all of the improvements which now adorn the property. In connection with the tilling of the soil he devotes considerable attention to the raising and feeding of stock, fattening from one to two carloads of hogs annually. He has gained an enviable reputation as a breeder of and dealer in pure-blooded Duroc Jersey hogs and is widely recognized as one of the substantial and representative citizens of his community. In addition to his land in Pioneer township, Cedar county, he owns a half interest in a forty-acre tract adjoining, which is located in Linn county.
Mr. Alexander has been married twice. In 1890, in Linn county, he wedded Miss Nora J. Kohl, a native of Jones county, Iowa, and a daughter of D. F. Kohl, whose brother, Duane Kohl, is mentioned on another page of this work. Mrs. Nora Alexander was called to her final rest in 1905, leaving one son, Charles K. In 1907, at Mount Vernon, our subject was united in marriage to Miss Cora Cowan, a native of Linn county and a daughter of J. C. Cowan.
In politics Mr. Alexander is a stanch democrat but the honors and emoluments of office have never had any attraction for him. Having resided in Cedar county throughout his entire life-a period of fifty-one years-he is largely familiar with its annals from pioneer times to the present and has witnessed a most wonderful transformation as frontier conditions have given way before the onward march of civilization.
ROBERT MELVIN CARL.
Robert Melvin Carl was reared in an environment that developed a spirit of enterprise, for his youthful days were spent upon the frontier of Iowa, where because of the unsettled condition of the country the pioneers had to put forth every effort and avail themselves of every opportunity to establish comfortable homes and gain a good living. He is a native of Cedar county, born on his pres- ent farm on section 18, Red Oak township, July 29, 1849, and for many years was
ROBERT M. CARL
MRS. ROBERT M. CARL
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actively identified with general agricultural pursuits but is now practically living retired, save for the management which he gives to his invested interests. He is a representative of one of the oldest families of the county, his uncle, Charles Dallas, being one of the first three men to settle in Red Oak township in 1836, who resided here until 1849 and then went to California, where he spent the re- mainder of his life.
Elza H. Carl, the father of our subject, was born near Dayton, Ohio, and in that state was reared and educated, but when a young man accompanied his parents on their removal to this county, where he entered the land now occupied by our subject. In his farming operations he steadily prospered and as time passed added to his property until he was the owner of five hundred and twenty acres of very valuable and productive land. In this county he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Dallas, who was born near Aberdeen, Scotland, in De- cember, 1817. She was about ten years of age when her family emigrated to the new world and from New York they came to Cedar county, Iowa. Her father, Robert Dallas, died in this county. His children were Charles, William, Gordon, Sarah, Mrs. Anna Peat, Mrs. Mary Cousins and Margaret. All are now deceased with the exception of Mrs. Carl, who makes her home with her daughter in Stanwood. She is the mother of five children, namely: Mary, the wife of Thomas Alexander, of Stanwood; Robert Melvin, of this review; Sarah, the wife of M. H. Somes, of Stanwood; Flora, the wife of Frederick Brown, of Tipton ; and Gordon, also a resident of Tipton.
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