USA > Iowa > Cedar County > A topical history of Cedar County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 72
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Mr. Nienaber supported the democracy until the time of the free silver agita- tion, when he became an advocate of republican principles. His religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Lutheran church, the teachings of which he exemplified in his daily life. His widow and children belong to the First Pres- byterian church at Wilton. Mrs. Nienaber is a gentle, kindly woman, charitable in her estimate of every one, and has a host of warm friends.
C. L. AIKINS.
C. L. Aikins, actively engaged in general farming and stock-raising, in which direction his efforts are meeting with most satisfactory results, is one of Cedar county's native sons, his birth having occurred in Iowa township, about two miles from his present home, on the 25th of April, 1874.
His father, Albert A. Aikins, was born in Morgan county, Ohio, January 23, 1849, and when four years of age was taken to Henry county, Illinois, by his parents, Edmond W. and Mary D. (Cope) Aikins. There they remained until 1856, which year witnessed their arrival in Cedar county, Iowa, the family home being established in Iowa township. There Albert Aikins was reared to manhood and became identified with agricultural pursuits. He was the owner of two hundred and forty acres located on section 20, township 79, which he operated until 1900, when he withdrew from active life and removed to West Liberty. The farm, however, remained in his possession until about three years
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ago. After his removal to the city he became very active in public affairs and business life there and is recognized as one of the prominent and influential citizens of the community. In 1897 he assisted in organizing the Iowa State Bank of West Liberty and remained a director thereof until he disposed of his interest. He is now a director and stockholder in the Citizens Savings Bank of West Liberty. He holds membership in the Presbyterian church, in which he is serving as one of the elders, and his fraternal relations are with the Masonic order, being a member of Mount Calvary Lodge, No. 95, A. F. & A. M. A republican in politics, he has been an active worker in party ranks and for six or eight years filled the office of township trustee.
In 1872 Albert A. Aikins was united in marriage to Catharine Buckman, a native of Maryland, where her birth occurred January 16, 1849. She was a daughter of Phineas and Cynthia (Robertson) Buckman, with whom she came to Iowa in 1855, the family locating in Muscatine county. By her marriage she became the mother of four children, as follows: C. L., of this review; Irwin, of West Liberty, where he is engaged as cashier of the Citizens Savings Bank; Ethel A., the wife of Louis A. Whitacre, also of that city; and Raymond A., in the employ of the postal service at West Liberty.
Spending the period of his boyhood and youth on the old homestead about two miles north of his present home and reared amid the busy activities of rural life, C. L. Aikins was early given a share in the work of the fields, be- coming familiar with the tasks that fall to the lot of the country lad. By broad experience he gained a thorough knowledge of the various phases of farming, so that when he later took up agriculture as an independent venture, he was well equipped to meet the practical duties that devolved upon him in connection therewith. After attaining his majority he operated the home farm of two hundred and forty acres for about six years, and then purchased his present farm, a tract of eighty acres located on section 33, Iowa township, to the further development and cultivation of which he has since given his attention. As a result of his energy and perseverance he has brought the place under ex- cellent condition, having erected a fine ten-room residence and made many other improvements, the farm today being one of the neat and valuable properties of the locality. In addition to cultivating the cereals best adapted to the soil and climate he engages in stock-raising, making a specialty at the present time of the raising of sheep, and this branch of his business, as well as his general farming, is, under his wise management and careful direction, proving a source of a gratifying income.
On the 24th of February, 1898, Mr. Aikins was united in marriage to Miss Amy Crees, who was born in Iowa township on the 23d of March, 1872, and is a daughter of Henry and Mary (Walters) Crees, the former now deceased and the latter a resident of Iowa township. Her father was born February 27, 1831, and her mother September 27, 1839. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Aikins have been born three children, Ralph E., Alice C. and Mary.
Having spent their entire lives within the borders of Iowa township, the parents are well known throughout the locality in which they reside, and the hospitality of their home is enjoyed by a large number of warm friends. Deeply interested in the public life of the community, Mr. Aikins is an active worker
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in republican ranks and served as assessor for four years. Public-spirited in citizenship, he ever casts the weight of his influence on the side of those meas- ures which have for their object the upbuilding and development of the com- munity, and he holds a prominent place among Iowa township's substantial and influential citizens.
RUDOLPH SEBELIEN.
A substantial and sturdy scion of the German race is Rudolph Sebelien, now living retired in Durant. He was born in the little village of Seelent in Holstein, Germany, September 8, 1837, his parents being Christian and Dorothy Sebelien. The father worked at the shoemaker's trade in his native country until 1853, when he came to American, settling at Davenport, Iowa. The mother had passed away before the family sailed for the new world. The father, thinking to find better opportunities in the United States than could be obtained in his native country, left Germany with his three sons, and Rudolph Sebelien, then sixteen years of age, began earning his living here, the financial resources of the family rendering it imperative that he gain immediate employment. His education had been acquired in the common schools of his native country. He spent three years at farm work in the employ of others and afterward aided his father in the cultivation of the fields upon the home place, Mr. Sebelien having purchased land in Farmington township, a part of which is still owned by his son Rudolph.
Reared to agricultural pursuits, the latter has always been connected with the work of tilling the soil and is today the owner of six hundred and forty acres of valuable land in Farmington township. His extensive possessions were acquired gradually. He carefully saved his earnings in early manhood until he had enough to purchase some land. He then began farming for himself and as the years have passed he has added to his holdings until he is now one of the extensive farmers of the community. Year by year he diligently cultivated his fields according to modern methods and his earnest labors re- sulted in good crops, for which he has ever found a ready sale on the market. He continued to actively carry on his large farming interests until 1908, when he retired and took up his home in Durant, where he expects to spend the re- mainder of his days in the quiet enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil.
On the 14th of June, 1883, Mr. Sebelien was united in marriage to Miss Lena Hamann, who was born in Holstein, Germany, November 23, 1848, and came with her parents to America in 1858. Her father, Henry Hamann, was a farmer of Scott county, Iowa, for many years but spent his last days in Du- rant, where he died about 1905. His wife passed away in Scott county in 1903. The wife of Mr. Sebelien was called to her final rest in 1895 and her death was deeply regretted by many friends as well as her immediate family. By her marriage she had become the mother of three children: Lena, who died at the age of seven years; Rudolph; and Louis. The former was born February 15, 1886, and now resides on the old homestead. He married Miss Lulu Ayres, a
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daughter of Peter Ayres, of Inland township. Louis Sebelien was born July 12, 1887, and is living with his father in Durant.
Mr. Sebelien has usually affiliated with the democratic party at state and national elections but in local matters is independent and casts his ballot for the men who in his judgment are most capable and trustworthy. He was reared in the faith of the German Lutheran church and he and his wife attended its services. From an early age he has been dependent upon his own resources and his enterprise and close application have enabled him to triumph over difficulties and obstacles and work his way steadily upward. He receives and merits the confidence and good will of all, for his business activities balance up with the principles of truth and honor.
WILLIAM WULF.
Various business interests have claimed the time and attention of William Wulf, whose enterprise has constituted a strong feature in their success. He is now the president of the Durant Savings Bank and to his present enviable position in the business world he has attained through his own efforts, his industry, diligence and honesty constituting the salient points in his substantial progress.
He was born in Oldenburg, Germany, November 4, 1849, and is a son of Christ and Christina Wulf, who were likewise natives of that country, where they spent their entire lives, the father passing away there at the age of fifty-two years, while his wife, long surviving him, died at the advanced age of eighty-six years. Their family numbered four children, one of whom is deceased, while two are still living in Germany.
William Wulf therefore is the only representative of the family in America. His education was acquired in the common schools of his native land and after putting aside his text-books he began learning the blacksmith's trade, of which he gained a good working knowledge. He had passed the nineteenth milestone on life's journey when he determined to come to the United States, attracted by the favorable reports which he heard concerning the opportunities in the new world. Crossing the Atlantic, he made his way to Walcott, Iowa, where for three years and three months he worked at his trade.
On the 18th of October, 1872, Mr. Wulf came to Durant, where he opened a blacksmith shop and conducted business on his own account with good success until the Ist of March, 1881. In that year he turned his attention to the coal and weighing business, conducting public scales. He built up a good trade as a dealer in coal, his sales reaching a large figure annually, so that as time passed on his capital steadily increased and in 1902 he retired from that business. He is, however, still actively connected with the banking interests of the city as the president of the Durant Savings Bank, which was organized in 1889 with a capital of thirty thousand dollars. He aided in its organization, became one of its first directors and has since had voice in its management as one of its directors and officers. F. C. Langfeldt is now the cashier of the bank and J. H. Meyhaus is the assistant cashier. The success of the institution is indicated in the fact
WILLIAM WULF
MRS. WILLIAM WULF
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that the capital stock has been increased to fifty thousand dollars and there is an undivided surplus of fifty thousand dollars. A general banking business is conducted and the methods employed are those which awaken confidence and secure a liberal patronage.
Mr. Wulf was married in Durant in 1873, to Miss Mary Husemann, who was born in Germany, and they have one child, Alvina, now the wife of George Trede, who is an agriculturist of Farmington township. Mr. and Mrs. Wulf occupy a beautiful home in Durant, supplied with all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.
In exercising his right of franchise Mr. Wulf always considers the capability of a candidate and not his party affiliation, thus casting an independent ballot. He has served as township trustee and as a member of the city council and has always been deeply interested in the welfare of Durant, cooperating in many progressive measures for the general good. He belongs to the Turn Verein and to the Kranken Verein and also holds membership with Durant Lodge, No. 265, K. P. He started out in life a poor boy and on every milestone of life's journey for many years was inscribed the word "labor." He attributes not a little of his . success to the assistance and good management of his wife. His own industry would not permit him to brook an obstacle that could be overcome by persistent and honorable effort and, moreover, in his business life he has displayed keen discernment, sound judgment and an aptitude for successful management. His prosperity therefore is well merited and the most envious cannot grudge him his success.
JAMES BURK, SR.
Among the well known and honored pioneers of Cedar county whose well directed efforts during their long connection with agricultural interests make it possible for them now in the evening of life to rest from active labor and enjoy the fruits of their former toil, is numbered James Burk, Sr. He is one of Ireland's contribution to the citizenship of Iowa, his birth occurring in County Cork. The period of his boyhood and youth was spent in his native land and there in the common schools he gained a fair education, which he has since greatly supplemented by wide reading and observation. When a young man of eighteen years he came to the new world in company with a sister, first taking up his residence in New Hampshire, where for about four years he was engaged as a section hand on a railroad, while later one year was spent in farming. It was on the 25th of October, 1855, that Mr. Burk laid the founda- tion for a happy home life of his own by his marriage in Concord, New Hamp- shire, to Miss Sebina McGowan, also a native of the Emerald Isle.
Immediately after his marriage Mr. Burk brought his bride to Iowa, where he soon became identified with the various interests of this great commonwealth, his connection therewith covering a long and honorable career. He first estab- lished his home at Tipton and aided materially in the upbuilding of that town, assisting in the erection of the new courthouse and also helping to lay out the
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west eighty acres of Tipton addition and also Star addition. He purchased a residence there and continued to make that his home, being identified with the interests of that community until 1860, when he removed to Fremont township, Cedar county. His first purchase consisted of forty acres, upon which not a single improvement had been made and to the cultivation of which he at once turned his attention. Later he purchased more property from time to time until he ultimately owned a fine farm of two hundred and eighty acres to the develop- ment of which he directed his efforts until, under his wise management and careful supervision, it was eventually brought under a high state of cultivation. He introduced all modern improvements, erected a large and attractive residence, built two good barns and set out a fine grove and orchard. The place is not only enclosed with good woven wire fences but is thoroughly tiled and today presents the appearance of one of the well improved and valuable properties of that section of the county. In connection with his general farming he also engaged extensively in the raising and feeding of stock, and this branch of his business also proved most successful, bringing to him good annual returns. Industry, energy and perseverance have been the salient characteristics of his business career, and that his well directed efforts found merited reward is indicated by the fact that, although starting out in life a poor boy, empty-handed and with no favoring circumstances to aid him in his struggle, he has, through the inter- vening years, worked his way steadily upward until today he is able to put aside the cares of active business life and enjoy in honorable retirement the well earned rest that comes as a reward for long years of unfaltering endeavor and earnest toil.
With the passing years the home of Mr. and Mrs. Burk was blessed with five children, but the eldest son, William, has now passed away. He was a farmer of Dayton township, and was married and had two children, his wife passing away in May, 1910. Of the children still surviving, Lizzie resides in Tipton, where she is engaged in dress-making. She has thus been identified for the past twenty-five years and is a lady of most excellent business ability. Ellen and James Burk, Jr., both reside at home, the latter superintending the work of the home farm. Annie, the youngest member of the family, married Aaron Alshire, of Fremont township, but both have passed away, leaving a son.
In politics Mr. Burk is independent, always casting his ballot for the best men and most desirable measures. Prominent in local affairs, he has served as delegate to numerous county conventions, and, a stalwart champion of the cause of education, he was identified with the school board of Fremont township for over twenty years, serving as both president and treasurer of that organiza- tion. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Catholic church, and in all things having for their object the material, intellectual, political and moral upbuilding of the community he has ever been found a ready and willing cooperant. Coming to Cedar county in early manhood, when the history of this section of the country was still in its formative period, he has watched the growth and development of the country as wild prairie land has been transformed into rich farming districts, railroads have been built and other improvements introduced, and in the work of upbuilding and development he has taken his full share, his connection with public interests here being a long and useful one.
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Although he has already passed the psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten, he is yet deeply interested in the world's work. A man of sterling qualities, honorable and upright in principle and dealing, he can look back upon the past without regret and forward to the future without fear, secure in the high esteem and regard of a large circle of friends which extends throughout Cedar county.
JOHN ADAM MILLER.
Among the progressive and prosperous farmers of Inland township, Cedar county, whose efforts along agricultural lines are meeting with gratifying results, is numbered John Adam Miller. One of Iowa's native sons, he was born in Scott county on the 26th of November, 1865, his parents being Lorenz and Mary (Ehrecke) Miller. The father, whose birth occurred in Germany in 1833. was there educated and he came to America in 1850, arriving in Scott county about 1859. At the time of the Civil war he supported the Union cause, enlisting as a member of the Second Iowa Volunteer Cavalry under Colonel Hatch. With his command he saw much active service at the front and was with Grant at the battle of Vicksburg and participated in many other engagements, including Iuka, Corinth, Pittsburg Landing, Shiloh, and Antietam. He served throughout the entire war, holding the position of orderly sergeant and bugler. After the close of hostilities he returned to Scott county, where he was engaged in farming for about two years, after which he came to Cedar county, and here purchased eighty acres of land. A year or so later he traded that property in on one hundred and sixty acres, which became known as the Miller homestead and upon which he carried on general farming and stock-raising throughout the remainder of his life. He added to his place one hundred and twenty acres and still later bought one hundred and eighty acres in Center township, so that he sub- sequently became the owner of four hundred and sixty acres of valuable land in Inland, Farmington and Center townships, which is still in possession of the Miller family. He also became known in other lines of industry, being one of the organ- izers of the Durant Savings Bank and of the White Pigeon Fire Insurance Com- pany. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, gave his political sup- port to the republican party, and was prominent in community affairs, serving as justice of the peace, township trustee and school director. Although not a member of any church organization, his faith leaned toward the doctrine of the Lutheran church, and in his life he exemplified those qualities which speak for honorable and upright manhood. He occupied a high place in the esteem and regard of his fellowmen, and at the time of his death, which occurred on the 29th of December, 1892, the community lost one of its progressive, loyal and valued citizens. In 1865 he had married Miss Ehrecke, a daughter of Gottlieb Ehrecke, one of the pioneers of Muscatine county, Iowa, and unto them were born four sons and one daughter, all of whom yet survive, John A., Henry C., Herman G., R. L. and Ida Sybella.
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John Adam Miller was but a little lad when his parents took up their abode in Cedar county, and on the old Miller homestead here he was reared to man- hood, acquiring his early education in the common schools of this county. Later he entered the academy at Wilton, Iowa, and after his graduation therefrom was engaged in teaching school in his home district for three months, proving himself most capable in imparting to others the knowledge he had acquired. He also taught for one term in Center township, after which he rented a farm of one hundred and eighty acres from his father and was for six years identified with agricultural pursuits thereon. At the expiration of that period he removed to Wilton Junction and for eight years was engaged in various business enterprises in that city. He then returned to the one hundred and eighty acres upon which he had originally engaged in farming and made that his home for two years, after which he removed to the old homestead, which has been his place of residence for the past five years. Here he carries on general farming and the prosperity which crowns his efforts is an indication of the fact that he has been progressive in the conduct of his affairs, systematic in his methods and careful in his management. Industry, energy and perseverance have been salient features in his career, and the creditable position which he now occupies in agricultural circles in Inland township is the logical result of his own well directed efforts and intelligently applied labor.
It was on the 20th of March, 1889, that Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Amelia Cecelia Arp, a daughter of Peter and Helena Arp, pioneers of Scott county, Iowa. The father is now deceased but Mrs. Arp survives and makes her home in Hartley, Iowa. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Miller have been born two children, Arthur Clarence and Lorenz Peter, both of whom are yet at home.
In his political belief Mr. Miller gives support to the republican party where national issues are involved but at local elections casts an independent ballot, standing for the best men and most desirable measures regardless of party ties. He takes a deep interest in all community affairs, although he has never sought to figure prominently in public life, and his influence can ever be counted upon to further those projects and measures which are matters of civic virtue and civic pride. Loyal in his citizenship, he is a worthy son of an honored father, and Inland township numbers him among her valued and representative residents.
JOHN H. COUTTS.
John H. Coutts was richly endowed with those traits of character which bind a man to his fellowmen in ties that naught but dishonor can sever. It is seldom that the death of a man not in public life calls forth such uniform sorrow or higher eulogium. Through the years of his residence in Cedar county, however- and that period covered his entire life-he had stood for all that is progressive and honorable in business and in citizenship. He was born at Red Oak Grove, Cedar county, Iowa, July 20, 1850, and his life span covered the intervening years to the 7th of January, 1904.
John H Coutts
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His parents, William and Barbara Coutts, were natives of Scotland and crossed the Atlantic to the United States in 1833, becoming residents of Ohio, where they remained until 1847, when they removed westward to Cedar county, Iowa. The father was a successful farmer and acquired considerable land. His family numbered seven children, of whom John H. Coutts was the eldest. The others are: William H., who is a graduate of the law school of the Iowa State University ; Jennie, the wife of C. G. Wright; Sarah, the wife of Joseph Bunker ; Mary, the wife of W. J. Moore; Ida, who married Dr. R. A. Nash; and Martha E.
In the common schools John H. Coutts pursued his education, supplement- ing his early training by study in the public schools of Tipton. His youthful days were spent upon the home farm, where he was not only trained to habits of industry in the fields but also developed traits of thrift and integrity, being taught those principles that make for good citizenship and strong character. His early training was manifest throughout his entire life. He stood ever as a man of unquestionable integrity and of high principle. On the 19th of March, 1878, he removed from the Red Oak Grove farm to a farm a mile east of Tip- ton and thereon made his home for twenty years. In his agricultural pursuits as in all else he believed in continuous advancement and utilized all the modern methods which he deemed of practical value in the development of the fields and the care of the crops. At length he turned from private life to the duties of public office, having been elected county treasurer, which position he filled for four years.
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