USA > Iowa > Cedar County > A topical history of Cedar County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 70
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Until he attained his majority Robert M. Carl remained with his parents and by the assistance he rendered his father in the operation of the home farm be- came thoroughly familiar with agricultural pursuits. On starting out in life for himself he worked by the month for one year and then embarked in mercantile business at Stanwood with his brother-in-law, M. H. Somes, under the firm name of Carl & Somes. This connection continued about three years, but at the end of that time he removed to Adair county, Iowa, and resumed farming, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he broke and improved. On selling that place he went to Jones county, where he also purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land and engaged in its operation for about five years. Disposing of that tract, he bought eighty acres in Red Oak township, Cedar county, which he owned for two or three years, and then purchased one hundred and seven acres adjoining the corporation limits of Stanwood, this being his home for about three years. When he disposed of that property he removed to a one hundred and sixty acre farm north of Stanwood, owning that place for about the same length of time. He next owned and operated a farm east of Tipton for five or six years and for a time had two hundred and forty acres south of that city but never resided upon the latter place. In the spring of 1905 he settled on his pres- ent farm, which consists of two hundred and eighty acres of well improved and valuable land on sections 7 and 18, Red Oak township. At present, however, he is not actively engaged in agricultural pursuits, as he rents his farm and makes his home with the man operating it.
Mr. Carl was united in marriage to Miss Alma Olive Johnson, a native of Jones county, who was born August 25, 1863, and died September 3, 1894. She was a daughter of Robert and Mary Johnson, who now make their home in
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Anamosa. The children born to our subject and his wife were: May, who died at the age of sixteen years; Daisy E., the wife of William Stevens of Jones county, Iowa; Forrest, who now rents a part of his father's farm; Lyle, a resi- dent of Tipton ; Gilbert, who died in infancy; and Vernon, who died at the age of two years.
In business affairs Mr. Carl has shown excellent ability and sound judgment in his investments and as the years have gone by he has won substantial success. He votes the democratic ticket but is not an office seeker. He is widely and favorably known throughout his native county and has the confidence and good will of all.
HENRY BEINKE.
Henry Beinke, a general farmer and stock-raiser of Farmington township, was born in Scott county, Iowa, on the 17th of February, 1860, his parents being Henry and Louisa (Illian) Beinke. The father's birth occurred in the province of Westphalia on the 19th of September, 1820, while the mother was born in Waldeck, Germany, on the 7th of May, 1825. Henry Beinke, Sr., came to the United States on the Ist of January, 1845, and worked in the cities of New York, Plymouth and Boston until 1851. In that year he returned to Ger- many but at the end of six weeks again emigrated to the new world, first locating in New York and subsequently in Plymouth. In the spring of 1852 he went to California and afterward removed to Australia, where he worked in the mines for two years, on the expiration of which period he journeyed to South America and the Isthmus of Panama. In 1856 he took up his abode in Scott county, Iowa, and lived in Hickory Grove township until 1862, when he removed to Cleona township, there making his home until called to his final rest on the 4th of March, 1902. He owned and operated a well improved farm near Walcott and won success in his agricultural interests, His political allegiance was given to the republican party, while his religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Lutheran church. His wife died on the 4th of July, 1902, also passing away in the faith of the Lutheran church.
Their children were six in number, namely: Lena, who is the widow of William Schade and makes her home in O'Brien county, Iowa; Henry, of this review; Rekey, who is the wife of Henry Muhs, of O'Brien county, Iowa; Louis, whose demise occurred on the 17th of March, 1901; Charles, who is a resident of Walcott, Iowa; and Mary, who is the wife of Herman Cook and resides on the old homestead in Scott county, Iowa.
Henry Beinke, Jr., attended the district schools of Scott county in pursuit of an education and after putting aside his text-books assisted his father in the operation of the home farm until 1888. In that year he came to Cedar county and took up his abode on a tract of one hundred and sixty acres on section 2, Farmington township, renting the place from his father. Subsequently he re- moved to a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 16, Farmington township, belonging to his father's estate, which is not yet settled. That farm
1
ELZA H. CARL
MRS. ELZA H. CARL
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
has remained his place of abode continuously since and his labors as an agri- culturist have been rewarded with success. In connection with the tilling of the soil he devotes considerable attention to the raising of stock, which branch of his business has also proved profitable.
On the 14th of February, 1899, in Davenport, Mr. Beinke was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Jensen, a daughter of Nicholas and Annie (Thompson) Jensen, who were natives of Germany and settled in Cedar county on coming to the new world. Nicholas Jensen passed away in 1900 but is still survived by his wife, who makes her home with her son-in-law, Peter Leopenteen, of this county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Beinke were born six children, one of whom died in infancy. The others are as follows: Henry L. C., whose natal day was December 28, 1899; Lillie N., whose birth occurred on the 23d of January, 1902; Lulu L., born on the 8th of August, 1903; Clarinda C., who was born on the 23d of May, 1905; Vernie May, who first opened her eyes to the light of day on the 2d of May, 1907.
Mr. Beinke supports the democracy where national questions and issues are involved but casts an independent ballot at local elections. His fraternal rela- tions are with the Knights of Pythias at Sunbury, while in religious faith he is a Lutheran. His wife also belongs to the church of that denomination. Having resided in this part of the state from his birth to the present time, Mr. Beinke is well known here and his fellow townsmen give him their respect and confidence in recognition of the upright and honorable life that he has led.
WILLIAM SMITH SPEAR.
Thirty-seven years cover the life record of William Smith Spear to the present writing in 1910. He was born September 12, 1873, on the farm on which he now resides on section 31, Dayton township, and is not only busily engaged in cultivating the fields but also raises and feeds stock, making a specialty of Aberdeen Angus cattle and Shire horses. His business ability is manifest in the fact that he is successful in managing his place of two hundred and forty acres and that he keeps it in a condition which wins it classification with the well improved and valuable farms of Cedar county.
His father, John Spear, was a native of Ireland and became one of the early settlers of Iowa. Devoting his attention to agricultural pursuits, he prospered by reason of his capable management and unfaltering diligence. Year by year he added to his competence and at length retired to private life, making his home in Stanwood at the present time, his former labors giving him the capital that now enables him to rest from further business cares.
William Smith Spear was reared upon the old homestead farm where he was born and where he now resides. The place is therefore endeared to him through the association of boyhood and youth as well as of manhood. At the usual age he entered the district school "and when he had mastered the branches of learning therein taught he had the benefit of further instruction in the Clarence high school. Later he pursued a commercial course in Davenport and was thus
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
well qualified for the conduct of important and growing business interests. When his school days were over he returned to the farm to assist in carrying on the work of the home place, and when his father removed to Stanwood about 1907 William Smith Spear took charge of the farm and has concentrated his energies upon its further improvement. He has torn out the old hedge fence and put in woven wire, has replaced primitive machinery with modern agricultural implements, has rotated his crops and made judicious use of fertilizers so that the land has been kept in good condition. His labors have been resultant and his success places him with the leading farmers and stock-raisers of the com- munity. Since taking charge of the farm he has engaged quite extensively in breeding and raising Aberdeen Angus cattle. His father was said to have had the first cattle of that kind in Cedar county, and the son has found them profit- able. He is now a member of the Angus Cattle Association and through his efforts has done much to improve the grade of stock raised in the county.
William S. Spear was married in Stanwood in November, 1897, to Miss Clara Nordhaus, who was born, reared and educated at that place. They now have one son, William Everett Spear, a bright little lad of two years, who adds much to the joy of the household. Mrs. Spear is a member of the Stanwood Methodist church. Mr. Spear is progressive in all matters of citizenship as well as in business and has given material aid to various projects for the public good. What he undertakes in a business way he accomplishes for he allows no difficulty nor obstacle to bar his path if it can be overcome by persistent and honorable effort.
EBENEZER A. GRAY.
In the history of the pioneer development of Cedar county Ebenezer A. Gray deserves mention, for he came to this part of the state in pioneer times and was closely associated with its early development and progress. Iowa was still under territorial rule at the time of his arrival and all of the experiences and privations of pioneer life were to be met, but, as in all unsettled districts, there were also opportunities to be enjoyed.
Ebenezer A. Gray was a native of Harrison county, Ohio, and in that state was reared and educated. Having arrived at adult age, he was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Bolon, a native of Loudoun county, Virginia, who in her girlhood days accompanied her parents on their removal to Ohio. There she became acquainted with Mr. Gray and the friendship, ripening into love, was consum- mated in marriage. The young couple began their domestic life in the Buckeye state and frontier experiences became familiar to them in that district, for the work of progress and civilization had not been carried forward to any great ex- tent in Ohio. They continued their residence there until 1839, when they sought a home in Iowa, taking up their abode in Cedar county. As one travels over this section of the state and sees its finely developed farms it is almost impossible to realize what were the conditions which met Mr. and Mrs. Gray when they took up their abode here. All around was the wild and unbroken prairie, starred with
MR. AND MRS. EBENEZER A. GRAY
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a million wild flowers in June and in December covered with one dazzling and unbroken sheet of snow. Only here and there had a settlement been made indi- cating that the work of reclamation had been begun here. Much of the land was still in possession of the government and Mr. Gray entered one hundred and sixty acres in Iowa township, which he secured for a nominal price. He at once began the arduous task of breaking the sod and cultivating the fields and in time brought his farm under a high state of improvement. Being a gunsmith by trade, he was in the employ of the government for some time, repairing guns used in the Indian wars, specimens of which are now on exhibition in Des Moines, but his attention was mainly given to agricultural pursuits.
In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Gray were eight children : Amanda, who married Daniel Ellyson and is now deceased; Thomas, a resident of West Liberty, Iowa; Alfred, a resident of Atlantic, this state; Mary and Caroline, who died in infancy ; Ann, the wife of Joseph Westfall, who died during his service in the Civil war, while her death occurred in Iowa township; F. M; and William, of West Branch, Iowa. Ebenezer A. Gray is still represented in this county by his descendants, his grandson, Charles O. Gray, being mentioned on another page of this volume. Mr. Gray was ever a worthy citizen of the community, whose labors were of value in the pioneer development of this portion of the state.
WILBER W. WATERS.
Wilber W. Waters, who is identified with general farming interests in Cedar county, owning a farm of one hundred and twelve and a half acres which is divided by the boundary line between Cedar and Muscatine counties, has through well directed energy and thrift made steady progress in his business and is meeting with substantial success. He is yet a young man and undoubtedly further advancement awaits him, for his strong characteristics are those which are indispensable elements in prosperity.
He was born in Springdale township, Cedar county, November 21, 1885, and is a son of M. B. Waters, one of the early residents of the township, of whom extended mention is made on another page of this work. His education was acquired in the district schools, supplemented by a term's study in the high school at West Liberty. As a young man he assisted his father in the develop- ment and improvement of the home farm and later rented that property, which he cultivated for three years. Carefully saving his earnings, he was then en- abled to purchase a farm of his own, becoming owner of one hundred and twelve and a half acres, of which sixty acres is located on section 34, Springdale township, Cedar county, and the remainder in Muscatine county. His time is given to general farming and stock-raising. In addition to cultivating the cereals best adapted to soil and climate he makes a specialty of Chester White hogs and also is engaged quite largely in raising mules. Both branches of his business are bringing him substantial return.
On the 24th of December,, 1906, Mr. Waters was married to Miss Emma Rummells, a daughter of Henry Rummells, of Johnson county, and they have
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
one child, Marie. Theirs is a hospitable home-a favorite resort with their many friends. Mr. Waters votes with the republican party but has no time nor inclination for public office, preferring to concentrate his energies entirely upon his business affairs, which are growing in volume and importance and are bring- ing to him a well merited reward for his labor.
B. H. HAMBRIGHT.
B. H. Hambright is perhaps one of the best known stockmen not only of Cedar county but throughout various sections of the state, for he breeds and raises stock on a very extensive scale, having since 1907 managed the interests of the Woody Crest Stock Farm, in which he is associated with John Willer. Mr. Hambright is a native of Scotland, Franklin county, Pennsylvania, born on the 21st of September, 1877, the fifth in a family of nine children, of whom seven survive, his parents being T. A. and Sarah (Etter) Hambright, who were like- wise natives of Scotland, Pennsylvania. The father for many years operated a threshing machine but in his later years supervised the interests of the agri-' cultural department of the Soldiers Orphans School, a state institution at Scotland. He died August 8, 1909, when sixty-two years of age, but his widow is still living.
B. H. Hambright remained under the parental roof until he had reached the age of nine years and at that tender age hired out by the month as a farm hand, being thus engaged for twelve years. In the meantime, however, he sought the broader opportunities of the middle west and in 1895 journeyed to Cedar county, where three years were spent at farm labor in the employ of others. In 1898 he began farming in partnership with Frank Wingert, this connection continuing for two years, during which time Mr. Hambright engaged in general farming and raised stock. At the end of that time he rented a farm and for seven years continued business alone but on the expiration of that period, about 1907, John Willer made him a proposition to remove to the Woody Crest Stock Farm, which he owned, Mr. Hambright to manage the same and share equally with Mr. Willer in the profits derived from their stock-raising interests. Mr. Hambright accepted this offer and at once took up his abode on the place, which has since been his home. He raises and breeds stock on a very extensive scale and has won a wide reputation in this particular field. He makes a specialty of Aberdeen Angus cattle, feeding about four carloads each year, while he raises about forty-five head annually. He also keeps Shire horses and breeds from eight to twelve head each year. He has an imported stallion, Joliet Wolf, valued at two thousand dollars, which took first premium in his class and was reserve champion at the International Stock Show held in Chicago in 1907 and has also taken the first premium at three state fairs. Mr. Hambright also breeds about three hundred head of Duroc Jersey hogs each year and has become known as the most extensive breeder of horses, cattle and hogs in Cedar county, the Woody Crest Stock Farm, comprising four hundred and seventeen acres, located three miles south of Tipton, being known as the home of as fine grade of animals
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
as can be found in the country. He has made a close study of the stock business in all its details and this constitutes the basis of his success.
In 1898, at Clinton, Iowa, occurred the marriage of Mr. Hambright and Miss Bessie E. Waddell, who was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, February 17, 1878, a daughter of James and Eveline Waddell of the Keystone state. Mrs. Waddell died there in February, 1910, but the father is still living in Pennsylvania. By her marriage Mrs. Hambright has become the mother of two sons : Paul Albert, born July 14, 1899; and Harold Theodore, born December II, 1900.
Mr. Hambright is largely a self-educated as well as self-made man, for, starting out at the early age of nine years he has through the inherent force of his nature and the utilization of opportunities passed from the unknown to prominence, advancing from the humble position of a farm hand to a position of distinction in the stock-raising circles of the great state of Iowa.
GEORGE W. GAREY.
One of the most modern and attractive country homes to be found in Cedar county stands on the Spruce Knoll Farm, which is owned by George W. Garey ' and comprises two hundred and fifty-five acres. Energy and perseverance are chief characteristics in the life of Mr. Garey, as will be noted by the fact that he today possesses three hundred and thirty-five acres of as good land as can be found in the great state of Iowa and all has been acquired through his own efforts.
He was born in Bedford county, Maryland, July 3, 1858, and when but five years of age was brought to Cedar county by his parents, George P. and Margaret Ann (Comp) Garey, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Pennsylvania, born June II, 1823, and August 20, 1833, respectively. They were married in the Keystone state in 1850, after which they made their home in Maryland until coming to Cedar county in 1863. The father engaged in farm- ing near Tipton and he and his wife still make their home in this section of the state. Their children, seven in number, of whom two are deceased, are as follows: John, a resident of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Belle, the wife of William Vest, of Missouri; George W., of this review; Jennie, who became the wife of Andrew Dickerson and is now deceased; Ella, the wife of Charles Perkins, of South Omaha, Nebraska; Bertha, who has departed this life; and Mary, the wife of William McCabe, of Tipton.
George W. Garey acquired his education in the public school at Tipton but began to earn his own livelihood at the early age of nine years, working as a farm hand by the month. He was thus employed until he reached the age of twenty-five, when he began farming for himself by operating rented land for several years. His first purchase was a tract of eighty acres on section 9, Cen- ter township. In 1894 he bought one hundred and twenty acres and later added an adjoining tract of one hundred and thirty-five acres, so that in his home place he has two hundred and fifty-five acres, situated on sections 16 and 17,
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Center township, while his total possessions aggregate three hundred and thirty- five acres in that township. On his place in 1906 he erected a modern home, which is supplied with all conveniences and accessories for the comfort of the inmates, while the barns and outbuildings are arranged with a view to con- venience and are kept in good repair. Mr. Garey carries on general farm- ing and makes the raising of hogs one of tlie principal features of his work, keeping about three hundred head annually.
Mr. Garey was married in 1884, the lady of his choice being Miss Lucy Culver, who in 1865 was born on the farm which is still her home. Her father, Orace M. Culver, was born near Cleveland, Ohio, June 14, 1821, and came to Cedar county in 1838 when a young man of eighteen years. He was married in this county at the age of twenty-two to Miss Lucy A. Cook and one daughter graced this marriage, Cornelia, now the wife of J. H. Bolton, of Tipton. Mr. Culver was married a second time, in 1848, this union being with Barbara Catharine Harry, who was born near Corydon, Indiana, in December, 1826. She became the mother of nine children, of whom eight reached years of matur- ity, the family record being as follows : John G., deceased; Alfred L., of Adair county, Iowa ; Jennie P., also of Adair county ; Orace Alvah, deceased ; William P., of Adair county ; Walter, who died in infancy ; Dolby R., deceased; Lucy, now Mrs. Garey; and Blanche N., who died at the age of twenty years. The mother of these children departed this life on the 7th of May, 1895, while the father died in Adair county in January, 1907, when he had reached the extreme old age of eighty-six years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Garey have been born two sons and one daughter, John, Blanche and Charley, all at home.
Mr. Garey deserves much credit for what he has accomplished in life, for he started out to earn his own living when most boys at such an age would indulge in the sports and pleasures of youth. He has worked diligently and persistently as the years have come and gone and today the Spruce Knoll Farm stands as the visible evidence of what he has accomplished in the business world.
GEORGE HAMANN.
George Hamann. a respected and worthy resident of Durant, won the com- petence that now enables him to live retired through the careful conduct of his agricultural interests in former years and is still the owner of four hundred acres of valuable land in Fairfield and Farmington townships. He is a native of Germany, his birth having occurred in Holstein on the 5th of August, 1853. In 1858 his parents crossed the Atlantic to the United States and, making their way direct to Iowa, arrived in Davenport on the 15th of May of that year. They remained at that place for six months, the father working in a brickyard at a wage of seventy-five cents per day and receiving instead of cash a slip of paper each Saturday night which entitled him to go to the store and purchase groceries for his family. In November, 1858, he removed with his wife and five children to Le Claire, Scott county, where he secured employment as a farm hand, receiving one hundred and eighty dollars for his services at the end of a year.
GEORGE HAMANN AND FAMILY
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
Subsequently he went to Clinton county, where he was actively engaged in the cultivation of rented land for seven years. On the expiration of that period he purchased a tract of one hundred and sixty acres in Cleona township, Scott county, paying forty dollars an acre for the property. The operation of that place claimed his attention until about 1890, when he leased the farm to his son and took up his abode in Durant, where he lived in honorable retirement until called to his final rest in 1904. The demise of his wife had occurred in 1896.
George Hamann, who was but a little lad of five years when brought to the new world by his parents, has resided within the borders of the state of Iowa continuously since. Under the direction of his father he early gained practical knowledge of the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops and throughout his active business career wisely followed the occupation to which he had been reared. He was married when about twenty-three years of age and following that important event in his life remained on his father-in-law's farm in Muscatine county for two years. During the second year his crops were destroyed by a hail storm and in the spring of 1878 he established his home in Farmington township, Cedar county, where he successfully carried on agri- cultural pursuits until 1903. He then put aside the active work of the fields and during the following six years lived retired at Bennett. Since June, 1909, however, he has made his home in Durant. His property holdings include four hundred acres of well improved and highly productive land, one hundred and sixty acres thereof lying in Fairfield township and the remainder in Farmington township. He likewise owns a fine residence in Durant and the prosperity which he now enjoys is all the more creditable by reason of the fact that it is attributable entirely to his untiring industry, indefatigable energy and good business manage- ment.
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