USA > Iowa > Cherokee County > Biographical history of Cherokoe County, Iowa : Containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States from Washington to Harrison, with accompanying biographies of each ; a condensed history of Iowa, with portraits and biographies of the governors of the state ; engravings of prominent citizens in Cherokee County, with personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families. A concise history of the county, the cities, and townships > Part 42
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H.C. Kellogg
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
a respectable village. Here Messrs. Kellogg & Lewis followed their profession, and the real-estate firm also did a large business. Mr. Kellogg's ability and energy soon placed him in the front rank of those who were struggling to build up the interests of the town and county. The railroad having been completed through from Fort Dodge to Sioux City in the spring of 1870, and the present town of Cherokee having been located, the new firm, in common with the rest of the in- habitants of Blair City, put their homes and offices on wheels and moved to the new town. Here their legal business grew and Mr. Kel- logg was soon recognized as one of the fore- most lawyers of this section. While not a man who was given to the close study and investigation of legal questions, yet, from his strong, innate common sense, he was enabled to arrive at conclusions on legal problems that were usually consonant with legal prin- ciples, for the reason that law is supposed to be the perfection of common sense. In addi- tion to this faculty of arriving at sound con- clusions on legal questions he also possessed a very high order of oratorical ability, the display of which in the legal forum soon made him well known as a successful jury pleader, and his eloquence was always more feared by the other members of the bar than his knowledge of law. In 1571 his partner, Mr. Lewis, was elected to the office of district attorney of the Fourth Judicial District, and this fact gave prominence to the firm. As the county developed the business of the firm increased. In the fall of 1874 Mr. Lewis was elected by the Republicans to the office of judge of the Fourth Judicial District, a position which he has held ever since. This rendered a dissolution of the old firm nec- essary on the 1st of Jannary, 1875, when Judge Lewis took his seat on the bench. Mr. Kellogg carried on the law business alone
until the month of May, 1875, when he formed a partnership with Mr. E. C. Herrick, a young attorney, and the firm was from then until Mr. Kellogg's retirement from practice in the fall of 1882 known as Kellogg & Her- rick. In October, 1882, having grown tired of the turmoil and strife consequent on the practice of the law, and wishing to lead a less active life, Mr. Kellogg sold out his interest to his partner and retired to his farm near Cherokee, where he has since resided, carry- ing on one of the finest farms in the county. His first wife had died in Qnasquetou, Iowa, in the year 1877, leaving surviving her four children: Mrs. Emma E. Lewis, the wife of Judge Lewis, now a resident of Sioux City, Iowa; Mary E., wife of Henry Ackenback, of Spencer, Iowa; Fred. R., just entering into manhood, and residing at home, and Darwin H., a younger son, who is at Lake Charles, Louisiana. Mr. Kellogg was married again in the year 1879, to Mrs. Rachel S. Soper, of Buchauau County, a lady of fine social attain- ments, good common sense, and possessed of business judgment far beyond the average of her sex. In politics Mr. Kellogg was a thorough Republican in the early history of the party. His father was a Whiig, and sup- ported John C. Fremont in 1856. Mr. Kel- logg remained loyal to the Republican party until recent years. Being a man of inde- pendent thought and conviction, and acknowl- edging no right in any one or any party to dictate his political course, he has come to be kuown as an Independent. He cordially supported the prohibitory movement in Iowa, and is inclined to believe that the full efficacy of prohibition can be found ouly in absolute national control of the traffic. Uutil within the last few years he took an active part in conuty politics, and was generally regarded as the most successful politician in the county. From the beginning of its active history the
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
county of Cherokee, like all other cominnni- ties, has felt the full force of political strife and contention. These local controversies have at times in the past been exceedingly warin and sometimes rather stormy. Having an aptitude for such warfare, and being at the same time a leading man in the com- munity, it was bnt natural that Mr. Kellogg should become warmly enlisted on the one side or the other, as his judgment and per- sonal feelings might carry him. When once so enlisted no man in the community ever had any reason to donbt where he stood or what friend he was working for. He never asked or wanted an office for himself. If a friend could get it with his help, he was sat- isfied. He never flinched from a public avowal of his feelings, or his political affilia- tions, and all a man had to do to find out where he stood was either to ask him, or watch his political actions. No man was ever trner to a friend. When he went into a campaign to work for one, it was always with a grim determination to win if possible. Hle hates vice and loves the good. As would be expected from such a nature, he met with op- position that at times even became bitter, and by some he was disliked. But conscious in the rectitude of his own motives, he cared little for the adverse judgment of his enemies. Knowing that he who is the friend of every- body is rarely, if ever, the true friend of anybody, he sticks to his friends and lets his enemies take care of themselves. Ile is a man of mnost genial and kindly disposition, sympathetic in his nature, and has a warm and responsive heart. No man will sooner forgive a foe and forget an injury. Although not as careful in looking after the acquisition of wealth as most men, yet he has prospered in a financial sense and has a competency for his old age. He owns a beautiful farm situ- ated close to the town of Cherokee, and seems
thoroughly contented in cultivating his broad acres. He has stocked it with a fine hierd of cattle and with the best breeds of hogs, and has every facility for the successful prosecu- tion of the farm and stock business. Mr. Kellogg is a man who is possessed of natural talents far above the usual order. While a great reader, and a well-posted man on all questions of public interest, yet hard study was ever irksome to him. As before stated, he is a man of very superior oratorical ability, and he never fails to secure the sympathy of an andience and to delight those who listen to him, by his glowing eloquence and keen wit. It is not too much to say that had lie cultivated his talents in this direction he would have made himself one of the leading public speakers of the day. Ile possesses the power of appealing to the noblest part of human nature in the most effective manner, and of stirring mp the good feelings of an audience with his pungent and sparkling wit. Mr. Kellogg has passed twenty years in Cherokee Connty, and has been thoroughly identified with its growth and history during that period. He has seen it develop from an unsettled expanse of raw prairie into a bloom - ing garden spot of thrift and prosperity. He is an honored citizen of a happy and peaceful community, and is the recipient of the gen- eral good will of the people.
N. BROWN, dealer in building mate- rial, Inmber, and coal, Marens, Iowa,
0 has been identified with the interests of Cherokee County since the antnmn of 1872. He was born in Hastings County, Canada, March 19, 1842, and is the son of Elias and Mary (Rnttan) Brown. He is the eighth of a family of twelve children, and was reared in his native county to farm life,
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receiving his education in the commnon schools. Mr. Brown was married in Canada to Miss Sarah Ann Lawrence, a daughter of Daniel Lawrence, Esq. She was also a native of Canada, and immediately after their mar- riage they removed to the State of New York, and located at a town named Adams; there they remained three years, during which time onr subject devoted himself to the carpenter's trade and other enterprises. Ile then removed to Syracuse, New York, and for nine years he followed carpenter work, when he removed to Cherokee County, Iowa. He came in ad- vance of his family, and made preparations for their home. He at once went to work at his trade, which he has since followed, at the same time contracting and building. He re- sided in the town of Cherokee for nine years, and in the fall of 1881 he removed to Marcus and opened a lumber yard in partnership with ilenry Luge; this firm ceased to exist at the end of one year, Mr. Brown bnying the entire business. In the fall of 1882 he added coal to his stock; he handles everything in the building material line, carrying a stock of $5,000. He does an annual business of 820,000, and has been very prosperous in all his enterprises. He owns eighty acres of improved land in Marcus Township, and several pieces of town property. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are the parents of seven children, two of whom survive.
OHN DORR, a native of Hesse Darn- stadt, Germany, was born Jnne 7, 1839, and is the son of Phillipp and Christina (Kredel) Dorr. He is one of a family of fourteen children, nine of whom grew to ma- turity, and was brought up to farm life, ob. taining his education in the common schools. When only sixteen years old he emigrated to
America, stopping for a short time in New York City; the first work in which he en- gaged was the confectioner's trade, which he followed two and a half years; one year of this time he spent in Detroit, Michigan, where he had two brothers living. He then went to Adrian, Michigan, where he filled an engagement of eighteen months at his trade. His next inove was to Bur- lington, Iowa, but failing to secure employ- ment there he crossed the river to Illinois and found work on a farm, to which he de- voted himself for eight years. In the mean- time he took a trip to his Fatherland, and on his return was accompanied by his chosen bride, Miss Elizabeth Kropp, a daughter of Wilhelm and Caroline (Hoffman) Kropp. She was born May 6, 1843, and her marriage to Mr. Dorr occurred November 20, 1865, at Detroit, Michigan. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Dorr located in Henderson County, Illinois, and remained there two years when they removed to Cedar Connty, Iowa, where they spent about a year and a half. In the fall of 1869 they removed to their present farm in Amherst Township, Cherokee County, which they had entered as a homestead the previous year; there were eighty acres in the place, and it was raw prairie; they were among the first settlers, and were compelled to undergo many privations and discourage- ments, but they had come to stay, and stay they did; and how well their efforts have been rewarded is shown by taking a look at their farm, which now consists of 319 acres; their dwelling is surrounded by a grove of six acres, and all their efforts have been at- tended with success. Mr. Dorr has been one of the main factors in building up that part of the county, and stands to-day among the well-to-do citizens. He affiliates with the Republican party, and has been road super- visor, and also a member of the School Board,
31
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
Mr. and Mrs. Dorr are the parents of seven children: Katie, wife of the Rev. C. Jobst, of the German Lutheran Church at Deer Park, Wisconsin, was born August 20, 1866; John was born March 5, 1868; Phillipp was born January 19, 1870, and was the first male child born in the township of Amherst; Carl was born February 10. 1872, and Dora, De- cember 30, 1876; the two children deceased are Christina, born March 4, 1880, and died June 27, 1887; Berthia was born December 12, 1884, and died July 5, 1887. The family are members of the German Lutheran Church, Mr. Dorr having served as treasurer and steward of the society.
ADAM DORR, one of the successful farmers of Amherst Township, was born in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany. December 22, 1847, and is a son of Phillipp and Christina (Kredel) Dorr. He is the thirteenth of a family of fourteen children, nine of whom lived to matnrity. He was reared in his native country, receiving his education in the common schools. At the age of fourteen years he went to learn the baker's trade, serving an apprenticeship of two years, after which he followed the busi- ness nine months. Thinking he could bet- ter his fortunes in the New World, in com- pany with his brother and sister, with a party of eighteen he set sail for America, arriving in New York after a tedious journey of thirty- two days; he remained in that city a few days, and then came to Detroit, Michigan, where he spent two weeks, and then went on to Warren Connty, Illinois, where he located and engaged in farming, having secured a position to work by the month. He continued in this way for two years when he bought a team and commenced farming for himself; he
had removed to Cedar County, Iowa, and at the end of one year he and his brother John came to Cherokee County, and located a claim in Amherst Township. He began the task of opening up his farm and then erected a small frame house. The country was a vast prairie, unbroken with many human habita- tions; his plow broke the first furrow of the soil. . He went to work with energy and de- termination to succeed, and his surronndings indicate that he has been generously rewarded for his toil; he has one of the finest homes in the connty, having erected a handsome frame residence in 1884, which is surrounded by a beantiful grove of six and a half acres, making it one of the most attractive places in the neighborhood. A willow tree standing near Mr. Dorr's residence measures eight feet and four inches in cir- cumference; this was planted by his own hand when a small twig. The well on this place was dug by the present owner and is walled with stone; it is very unusual to find this kind of a well in this section and it is one of which Mr. Dorr is justly prond. Mr. Dorr has added to his landed estate until he now owns 120 acres of choice land, which lias been placed under enltivation through bis own efforts. On first coming to the county the hardships were many and severe; fuel was scarce, and the early settlers were obliged to go a distance of five miles, throngh creeks and marshes, to procure even an inferior quality. It took men with stout hearts and iron wills to face all these privations and dis- couragements; bnt energy and plnck will ac- complish wonders, and he is now reaping his reward. Mr. Dorr was married May 21, 1879, to Mary Erickson, a daughter of Swan and Mary Erickson. She was born in Sweden, May 26, 1858, and came to America when nine years of age with her parents. Two children have been born of this union: Fred-
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
die L. was born April 5, 1881, and Luln M., born December 14, 1882, died April 28, 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Dorr are worthy and consistent members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, Mr. Dorr being at present steward, and a member of the Board of Trns- tees. Politically he affiliates with the Re- publican party, and is a stanch adherent to his party principles.
IREMAN MILLER, a native of Bed- ford County, Pennsylvania, was born April 20, 1845, and is a son of Mar- tin G. and Elizabeth (Rider) Miller, also na- tives of the State of Pennsylvania. The father still resides in Cedar County, Iowa, at the age of seventy-eight years; the mother passed to that better land March 8, 1877. They had born to them ten children, six of whom are living: John R. (deceased), Jacob B., George W., Jeremiah J., William O., Wireman (the subject of this sketch), Maggie A. (deceased), David (deceased), Edmond and Martin H. Four of the brothers were in the late Rebellion. George W., in Company D, Eleventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry, was wounded in the battle of Corinth, Missis- sippi, in October, 1862. Jeremiah J., in Com- pany D, Eleventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry, served from the beginning until the elose of the war. William O. was wounded while in the service, and died in Virginia, February 14, 1864; he was a member of Company C, Twenty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and received his fatal wound at Winchester. Wire- man, the subject of this notice, was a niem- ber of Company D, Eleventh lowa Volunteer Infantry, and served one year; he fought in the battle of Bentonville, North Carolina, was in several skirmishes, and was with Gen- eral Sherman on his famous march to the
sea. From his seventh year Mr. Miller was reared in Cedar County, Iowa, whither his parents had removed from Pennsylvania. After the close of the war he resided in Ce- dar County until the spring of 1870, when he came to Cherokee County, where he had taken a homestead of eighty aeres in Am- herst Township in the fall of 1869. Mr. Miller was united in marriage September 6, 1866, to Miss Maggie E. Ledman, daughter of William and Jane (Morrow) Ledman, na- tives of Virginia and Ohio respectively. Mrs. Miller was born in Middletown, Ohio, and came with her sister to Iowa in 1864. Six children have been born to Mr. Miller and wife: Harry L. was born January 23, 1868, and died July 7, 1889; Arthur J. was born October 9, 1873, and died January 23, 1877; Lewis M. was born May 30, 1875; Florence M. was born June 21, 1879, and died September 12, 1881; Ida B., born De- cember 28, 1881, and Alvah L., born Novem- ber 15, 1884. In 1870 they came to Chero- kee County, and located on Mr. Miller's claim, where he erected a small residence of cotton- wood, which was the fourth house in the township. They have struggled through all the hardships and adversities incident to life in a new country, but their labors and in- fluence have been widely felt. Mr. Miller assisted in the organization of the township, and was the first assessor of the township, an office which he had held continuously, except- ing four years, until one year ago; he has also served as township clerk for several years, and has been president of the school board for eight years; he is the present township treasurer, and has filled this office for eight years; from which it will be seen that he has been prominently identified with the public welfare of the community. He has also served as president of the Marens Shipping Association since its organization. He af-
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
filiates with the Republican party, and has taken an active interest in its success. He devotes his time and attention to farming, and now owns 240 acres of land in Amherst Township, which he has placed under good cultivation. In 1887 he erected a handsome two-story frame residence, which is one of the finest and best in the township; he has sub- stantial barns for stock and grain, and has planted five acres of grove, which adds ex- ceedingly to the beauty and attractiveness of the place. At the close of the war he had been able to save very little money, and his property has all been accumulated since that time. He is one of the stewards and class leaders of the Simpson Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church, of Amherst Township, to which society his family also belong; they are zealous members, ever active in the cause of their Master, and are among the most worthy and respected people of the county.
B. INGELS, Physician and Surgeon, Meriden, Iowa, was born in Wabash Connty, Indiana, March 29, 1852. Ile is a son of James Ingels, who was a native of Indiana. He was a farmer by ocenpation, and in 1855 he removed from his native State to Stark Connty. Illinois, and lived there the remainder of his days. Mrs. James Ingels is still living. J. B. Ingels was reared in the State of Illinois, receiving his early education at La Fayette, Illinois. At the age of eigliteen he began his classical education at Abingdon, Illinois, and after finishing there he entered upon the study of his profession at Bellevne Hospital Medical College, New York City. After his graduation from this institution he went to Cambridge, Illinois, and remained there but a short time. He then removed to Galva, Illinois, and prac-
ticed there three years; thence in the spring of 1881 he went to Meriden, Cherokee County, Iowa, in which place he has since resided. Dr. Ingels was united in marriage, March 5, 1878, to Miss Allie Vaill, a daughter of John and Marian Vaill, who was born May 11, 1856, in Henderson, Illinois. By this union four children have been born: Erlie V., Fred- erick J., Ray, and Pearlie (deceased). The Doctor owns forty acres of land in section 23, Sheridan Township; 311 acres in section 19, Liberty Township; 153 acres in section 30, Liberty Township, and forty acres in the northwest corner of the town limits. He is a member of the Cherokee Connty Medical Association, of the Iowa State Medical So- ciety, and of the American Medical Asso- ciation. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party. Both Dr. and Mrs. Ingels are worthy members of the Christian Church, the Doctor holding the office of elder in the church, and superintendent of the Sunday- school. He is a member of the town conncil, and in every way does his part as a loyal citi- zen. Dr. Ingels has an excellent practice in liis profession, and has the confidence of the cominnnity in which he lives.
M. McCONNELL was born November 9, 1829, in Belmont Connty, Ohio. 0 His father, William McConnell, a na- tive of Pennsylvania, died in his eighty-sixth year. He fought in the War of 1812, serving under General Harrison. The mother was Mary (Muchmore) McConnell. The subject of this notice was brought up in Belmont County, obtaining his education in the com- mnon schools. He lived upon his father's farm until 1857, when the spirit of adventure prevailed, and he journeyed to the Western country. He stopped in Fort Dodge, Iowa,
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and remained there two years, engaged in locating lands for non-resident parties. At the end of that time he removed to Putnam County, Illinois, and remained there until 1861, when he abandoned everything to go to the defense of his nation's flag. He en- listed in the First Illinois Cavalry, under command of Captain McNulta. This regi- ment was captured soon after its organization, by General Price, at Lexington, Missouri. It was sent to St. Louis, and discharged on parole. Mr. McConnell then returned to his home in Ohio, and spent a part of the winter of 1861-'62. He went back to St. Louis and reorganized the same regiment, which was soon disbanded by order of the Secretary of War, on conditions pertaining to the parole. Mr. McConnell then enlisted in the One Hundred and Fourth Illinois Infantry, Company K, under Captain Palmner. He was captured at IIartsville, fifty miles from Nashville, and sent to Camp Chase. He went to Chicago, and afterward joined the army at Murfreesboro. He took part in the battles of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. He was in General Sherman's famous march to the sea, and participated in the grand review at Washingtou, District of Columbia. After the close of the war Mr. McConnell settled in Chicago, and engaged in the tanning business for twelve years. He then went to White Hall, Michigan, and for two years was superintendent of the Eagle Tanning Works. We next find him in Rock Island, Illinois, buying and selling furs. In 1878 he came to Cherokee County and bought 320 acres of land in Sheridan Township, on which he is still living. He is one of the leading and progressive farmers, and has done his share in advancing the interests of that part of the county. He has a good residence built on an attractive site, a large barn, and many coll- venieuces for farm work. Politically Mr.
McConnell is a Republican. He has repre- sented his township officially as trustee for seven years, and is the present incumbent of the office. He is a member of the G. A. R. Mr. McConnell was united in marriage No- vem ber 23, 1875, to Miss Frances Vail, daugh- ter of D. W. and Relief (Wagner) Vail. She was born in Wisconsin, Jefferson County, April 20, 1847. Her parents were natives of the State of New York. Iler father was born in 1817, and the mother in 1820. Mr. and Mrs. McConnell have had one child born to them-Shearly V. (deceased).
ARON C. SMITH was born in Le Claire, Scott County, Iowa, October 20, 1854, and is the son of Joseph and Sarah J. (Brown) Smith. The father is a native of Pennsylvania, of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and the mother was born in the State of New York, of English origin. They are the par- ents of nine children, named as follows: Eben O., Aaron C., Matilda, Mary, William F., George W., Martin B., Charles N. (now de- ceased). Joseph Smith is one of a family of seven children: Eli, Ira, Martin, Nathan, Joseph, Mahala and Mary. When Aaron C. was a child his parents removed to Hickory Grove, Grundy County, Iowa, and settled on a farm. There he lived until 1886, when he went to Butler County, Iowa; in 1870 the family removed to Iowa County, and there he worked on a farm and in a creamery until 1885, when he came to Cherokee County. He bought eighty acres of land in Pilot Township, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation. He has built a house, barn and granaries, and has planted two acres of orchard and a grove. The farm is well watered, and is well adapted to stock and grain raising. Mr. Smith was occupied in
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