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 58
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OSEPH RICKER .- Nicholas and Engle (Kuter) Ricker were born in Prussia, and came to America in 1848. They were soon after married in St. Louis, Missouri, and settled in Galena, Illinois, where they re- mained about six months. They then removed to Jackson County, Iowa, where Mr. Ricker
still resides at the age of sixty-two years; his wife died May 23, 1864, at the age of thirty-five years. They had nine children born to them: Lena, Henry, Anna, Joseph, Fred, Frank (deceased), Tracy, Lizzie, and Christina (deceased). Joseph, the subject of this biographical sketch, was born in Jackson County, Iowa, November 24, 1855. Trained in that most independent of avocations, farm- ing, he has made it his life's work. In the spring of 1877 he came to Cherokee County, and settled on 120 acres of land which he had purchased the previous year; he inade an additional purchase of forty acres of the railroad company, but there were no improve- ments on the place, excepting twenty acres that had been broken. The first year he erected a small honse in which he began honse-keeping, with his sister as hostess. The next spring he returned to Jackson County, and March 11, 1878, he was united in mar- riage to Miss Maggie Earnest, a danghter of Joseph and Catherine (Partz) Earnest, natives of Hanover and Luxemburg, Germany. Mrs. Ricker was born in Jackson County, Iowa, and there grew to womanhood. . After his marriage Mr. Ricker returned to his home with his bride, and there they have continued to live. He lias added to the residence until it is now a roomy edifice, surrounded by a beautiful grove of seven acres. IIe has added to his first purchase of land until he owns 365 acres. Both pieces of land are well im- proved with substantial buildings, and are under excellent cultivation. He received somne assistance from his father in the begin- ning of his business career and has proved himself fully worthy of the gift. To-day he occupies a place among the leading farmers of the county, and is highly esteemed by all with whom he has any dealings. Mr. Ricker is identified with the Democratic party, hav- ing cast the first Democratic vote in the
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
township. He is chairman of the township Democratic committee, and has taken an act- ive part in the promotion of his party's wel- fare in the county. The Ricker family are members of the Roman Catholic Church. There are four children: Clara A .. born Sep- tember 18, 1881; Eli J., born March 19, 1884, and died February 24, 1887; Reuel N., born February 10, 1888; and Phillipp C., born May 26, 1889.
E. McGEE is one of the progressive farmers of Cherokee County, and a stanch supporter of the principles of the Republican party.
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E. LEA, of Rock Township, isan Ameri- can by adoption, having been born in England, November 28, 1852. He is a son of Joseph and Prudence (Mitchell) Lea, also natives of England. Joseph Lea took to the sea, and spent the greater part of his life on the water. He advanced until he became captain of his ship, and when R. E. was one month old he was taken on board the vessel which was his home until he was nine years old; he then left the ship, and worked on a farm until he was fourteen years old, when he returned to the water, and staid until he was twenty years of age. After leaving the sea the last time he was employed by a railroad company in Manchester, England. In April, 1875, he left England, his home and friends, and crossed the water to America, locating in Will County, Illinois, where he worked on a farm for six years. In 1881 he removed to Cherokee County, Iowa, and bought eighty acres of land in Rock Township, and the in- dications are that prosperity has attended his
efforts. Mr. Lea was united in marriage March 26, 1885, to Miss Ida A. Kinney, a daughter of E. D. and Cynthia M. (Towne) Kinney. Mrs. Lea was born in Vermont, Angust 21, 1852, and removed with her par. ents to Wisconsin, where they remained seven years; thence they went to Lake City, Minnesota, and resided there until 1873; in the meantime she graduated from the Winona State Normal School, and taught in the pub- lic schools a number of years. Her family removed to Cherokee County in 1876. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Lea: Jessie and Florence. In politics Mr. Lea affiliates with the Republican party. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, while his wife belongs to the Baptist. He is a man frank and cordial in his inanners, is honor- able in his business, and is one of the repre- sentative farmers of Rock Township.
F. SILVER, an energetic young farmer of Rock Township, is a native of the ? Hawkeye State, born in Linn County, August 6, 1863. His father, David Silver, was born in Ohio in 1831, and emigrated to Iowa in 1856. For five years he carried the nails between Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, and afterward worked at the carpenter's trade. His mother's maiden name was Sarah J. Tall- man, and she was born in Ohio in 1836. The subject of this biographical notice, B. F. Sil- ver, was reared on a farin, and was trained to the duties of agricultural pursuits. He re- ceived his education in the common schools, and at Western College. After leaving school he taught one year in Linn County, and then engaged in farming his father's place until lie was twenty-four years of age. He then bade farewell to the family hearthstone, and re- moved to Cherokee County, settling in Rock
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
Township, where the father had deeded him eighty acres of land. Mr. Silver was united in marriage June 26, 1889, to Miss Marie J. Di Shaw, a daughter of Levi and Adeline (Di Shaw) Di Shaw. Mrs. Silver was born in St. Lawrence County, New York, May 24, 1869; her father is also a native of New York, and a cabinet-maker by trade. Her mother died when she was but two and a half years old, and a short time afterward she was adopted by her uncle, Joseph Di Shaw. When Marie was five years old her uncle removed to Cherokee County, Iowa, and located in Pilot Township; in three years he went back to New York, and in six inonths returned to tlie West, stopping in Michigan; thence lie came to Cherokee County, and since that time has made it his home. Mrs. Silver received her education in the district schools and in the Cherokee High School, and taught for two years after she left school. Although Mr. Silver has been a resident of the county bnt a short time, he is rapidly pushing to the front, and will soon take his rank among the leading farmers of the county.
J. PATTON has been identified with the interests of Cherokee County
0 since the year 1883. He was born in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, Novem- ber 4, 1855, and is a son of Andrew and Bar- bara (Morrison) Patton, both natives of Ire- land, born in the year 1825. When W. J. was ten years of age his parents removed to Will County, Illinois, and located on a farın. There he passed his yonth, and remained nn- der the parental roof until 1883, when, as before stated, he came to Cherokee County. He bonght a farın in Sheridan Township, and devoted his time and efforts to the improve- ment of the same. He has a comfortable
residence, and has erected substantial build- ings for the care and protection of live-stock and grain. Mr. Patton was married March 1, 1883, to Miss Clara M. Crawford, a daughter of Rev. Ralph and Nancy E. (Coates) Craw- ford; she was born October 5, 1862, in Will County, Illinois, and was reared in the county of her birth. She received her education in the common schools and in the Onarga Semi- nary. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Patton: Leslie L., Arthur C., Ralph A. Mr. Patton is a Republican, and is a stanchi supporter of the issues of that party. He served as township assessor from 1886 to 1888, giving general satisfaction in his man- agement of the office. He is a member of the Farmers' Alliance. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and have the respect and confidence of the community in which they dwell.
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DAM THOMPSON, a representative farmer of Rock Township, was not born on American soil, but in Dum- frieshire, Scotland, September 6, 1822. His father, Benjamin Thompson, was a fariner by occupation, and was born November 22, 1801; he died November 22, 1856. His mother was Mary Johnston. Adam received his education in the common schools, and worked with his father on the farm until 1839, when he went to learn the carpenter's trade. He served an apprenticeship and then worked in Scotland until he was twenty-three years of age, when he went to Liverpool and remained two years. At the end of that time he re- turned to his native country, and after a residence there of two years he went to Man- chester, England, and staid there until 1854. In that year he left friends and home and native land, and sailed for America. He
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
landed in Quebec, and thence proceeded at once to Will County, Illinois. He continued to work at his trade until 1860, when lie bought a farm and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. In 1881 he removed from Will County to Cherokee County, Iowa, and bought 560 acres of land in Rock Town- ship. He has since sold eighty acres, and has deeded eighty acres to one son. Mr. Thompson was united in marriage, August 30, 1853, to Miss Mary Patterson, a daughter of John and Jane (Hall) Patterson. Mrs. Thompson was born in Scotland, June 7, 1827, and died April 25, 1874. She was a worthy and devoted member of the Presby- terian Church, and her death was monrned by a wide circle of friends. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson had born to them seven children: John, Jane, Mary (deceased), Elizabeth (de- ceased), Benjamin, Andrew (deceased) and David (deceased). Mr. Thompson votes the Republican ticket. He has represented the people of Rock Township officially as trustee. During the whole time of his residence in Illinois he held some office of trust and re- sponsibility. He is a worthy member of the Presbyterian Church, and his deep integrity and honesty of purpose have won for him a host of friends, and he is numbered among the leading men of Cherokee County.
LASIUS SPINHARNEY, one of the enterprising farmers of Rock Township, is an early pioneer settler of Cherokee County. He was born in Germany, near the River Rhine, February 3, 1821, and is the son of Peter and Monica (Clarr) Spinharney. When he was eight years of age his parents emigrated to America, and located in Colum- biana County, Ohio. There he passed his youth, and at the age of eighteen years he
left his father's farm and started out in life, seeking the fortune in store for him. He worked on the canal one year, and then went to Steubenville, Ohio, and entered the employ of Edwin M. Stanton, Esq., with whom he reinained six years. He fought in the Mexi- can war, enlisting in the Third Ohio Volun- teer Infantry, Company I, Captain John Kells. He went to New Orleans, thence to Pracius Island, Texas, and thence to Mata- moras, remaining there until after January, 1847. He then went down into Mexico, was at Monterey and Buena Vista, and then re- turned to New Orleans. After receiving his discharge he returned to Ohio, and again en- tered the employ of Mr. Stanton, remaining with him one year. In 1848 he removed to Washington County, Wisconsin, and engaged in farming. He resided there until 1869, when he determined to go farther west, and so removed to Cherokee County, Iowa. He purchased 320 acres of land in Rock Town- ship, and later added forty acres inore to his possessions. Mr. Spinharney was united in marriage, August 2, 1848, to Miss Bertha A. Denc, daughter of Trupert and Mary A. (Schwunder) Denc. She was born in Ger- many, May 23, 1831, and when fourteen years old her parents emigrated to the United States, and settled in Ohio. Thirteen chil- dren have been born of this union: Mary M., Sophia L., Alex. G., Caroline B., Amelia T., Edwin F., James H., Stephen A., Alvina M., Charles P., Laura A., Albert R. and Martha H. Politically Mr. Spinharney affiliates with the Democratic party. He served as sheriff of Washington County, Wisconsin, and has represented the people of Rock Township as trustee and as president of the School Board. He is a member of Speculative Lodge, No. 307, A. F. & A. M. Both he and his wife are members of the Roman Catholic Church. Mr. Spinharney has witnessed the wonderful
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
growth of Cherokee County from her infancy, and has done his part in assisting that devel- opinent. He is one of the men who organized Rock Township. A inan of high principles, frank and cordial in manner, he has won all enviable position in the county.
ANIEL MELTER, a prominent early settler of Rock Township, is a native of the State of Ohio, born in Stark County, October 16, 1843. He is a son of Michael and Eva (Deen) Melter, who removed to Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, when Dan- iel was eleven years of age. There he resided until 1865, when he entered the ariny in de- fense of his country's flag. He had been ex- amined in 1862 and 1863, but on account of a broken leg, an accident which liad occurred to him in early life, he was not accepted nntil 1865. He enlisted in the Forty-fifth Wis- consin Volunteer Infantry, Company D, Cap- tain Henry Van Ewyck. After the restoration of peace he returned to liis home in Wiscon- sin, and remained there occupied with agri- cultural pursnits until 1869, when he went to Black Hawk County, Iowa, where he re- sided one year. Thence he removed to Chero- kee County, Iowa, and purchased 240 acres of land in Rock Township. He has spent mnuch time and labor in the improvement of this place, and now has one of the most de- sirable farmns in the township. He has a large barn, five acres of fine grove, and one acre in orchard, which is now bearing. Mr. Melter was married December 31, 1868, to Miss Mary, daughter of Blasins and Bertha (Denc) Spinharney. She was born in Wash- ington County, Wisconsin, June 22, 1849. Six children have been born of this union: Fred W., Rosa I., Edwin E., Anna B., Maggie L. and Stephen B. In politics Mr. Melter is
rather conservative, inclining to the princi- ples of the Democratic party; but he is not restricted by party ties, and casts his vote for the man best fitted in his estimation to fill the office in question. He has served his township as clerk, assessor, and as a member of the School Board; he was the first clerk elected in Rock Township. He is a member of Lodge No. 188, I. O. O. F. Mr. Melter is a man firm in his convictions of right and wrong, and is well worthy of the confidence and trust reposed in him by the people of the community in which he lives.
S. DEYO, a farmer of Sheridan Town- ship, is a native of the State of New York, born March 29, 1838. His par- ents, John and Elizabeth (Mackey) Deyo, were also natives of the State of New York. His grandfather was a soldier in the War of 1812. He was reared to the occupation of a farmer, and received his education in the common schools. The family removed to Lee County, Illinois, and L. S. remained at home until his twenty-third year, assisting in the . cultivation of the home farm. During the great Rebellion, when there was a call for men to go to the defense of this nation's flag, L. S. Deyo was not found wanting in courage and patriotism. He enlisted in December, 1863, in the First Illinois Battery, Company F, Captain Burton, and participated in many battles, among which may be mentioned Snake Creek Gap, Kennesaw Mountain, At- lanta, Resaca, and Jonesburg, Georgia. He was honorably discharged July 4, 1865, and returned to his farm in Illinois. There he remained, tilling the land and harvesting the crops until 1885, when he removed to Cher- okee County, Iowa. He purchased 120 acres of land in Sheridan Township, on which he
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
is still living. He has erected a comfortable dwelling and substantial buildings for the care and protection of live-stock and grain, and has planted ten acres of fine grove. That energy and thrift are predominating traits of Mr. Deyo is evident from the appearance of his surroundings. He was married Jannary 16, 1860, to Miss Thankful E. Maise, daugh- ter of Horace and Zilla (Foster) Maise. Mrs. Deyo is a native of Greene County, New York, and was born October 19, 1835. To Mr. and Mrs. Deyo have been born two children: Addie, wife of Egbert Jones, and Harry L., at home. The parents are both consistent members of the church, the mother belonging to the Presbyterian Church, and the father to the Methodist Episcopal Church.
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OODBURY H. AUSTIN, one of the influential and respected citizens of Tilden Township, Cherokee County, was born in Essex County, Massachusetts, June 11, 1822, and is a son of Joshua and Lucy (Hunt) Austin, natives of New Hamp- shire and Connecticut respectively. He is the oldest of a family of eight children, and until he was eighteen years old he worked on the farm and attended the district school. At that age he went to learn the carpenter's trade, and followed the business for six years; he was then employed by the Essex Machine Company, and for two years was engaged on carriage work. He then went to Braintree, Massachusetts, and for two years worked at his old trade; thence he went to Roxbury, Massachusetts, and at the end of one year he removed to Chicago, Illinois, remaining there nine years, employed in a sash and door fac- tory and planing-mill. His next move was to Beloit, Wisconsin, where he opened a sash and blind factory on his own account, which
he continued to manage for three years; this was destroyed by fire, after which he remained in Beloit one year, when he removed to Mc- Gregor, Iowa, and leased a mill for the manu- facture of sash, blinds, etc .; tliere he remained one year, and we next find him in Dubuque, Iowa, in the employ of a firm operating a sash and blind factory and planing-mill. After three years Mr. Austin, in company with W. W. Carr, under the firm name of Carr & Austin, erected large and commodious buildings for the manufacture of sash, doors and blinds. After two years the firm name was changed to Carr, Austin & Co., and tor fourteen years they did an extensive and profitable business. Mr. Anstin's business career was one of great success, and was the result of perseverance, indomitable courage, and the practice of the highest integrity in all his transactions. He determined to change his mode of life, and purchased a farm of 420 acres in Butler County, Iowa, near Parkers- burgh. There he erected a fine residence, and at the end of three years sold out, and in March, 1882, he came to Cherokee County. having purchased, in 1880, 520 acres of land. Most of this land was wild, and there were few improvements, but to-day, after seven years of Mr. Austin's care and management, it is one of the finest farms in the county. He has planted eight acres of grove, and five acres in orchard. Politically he is a stanch supporter of the principles of the Republican party. He has served as school director, acquitting himself with inch credit. Mr. Austin was married in 1844 to Celina Petty, who was born in Salem, New Hampshire, August 7, 1806. They are the parents of four children: Stephen Page, residing in Colorado, served through the late Civil War, was captured and lay in Libby Prison, endur- ing all the agonies of that terrible time; Elizabeth is the wife of Thomas Quin, re-
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
siding in Washington Territory; James also lives in Washington Territory; and Francilia is the wife of B. Lockey, residing in Clay County, lowa.
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ANS HADENFELDT was born in Hol -. stein, Germany, June 8, 1849, and is a son of Henry and Anna (Elas) Haden- feldt. In 1869 the parents determined to emi- grate to America, believing there they would find better opportunities both for themselves and children. After landing they continued their journey until they reached Iowa, and there they located in Benton County, where they have since made their home. They have a family of seven children: Katie, wife of Jacob Pruiser; Clans; Hans, the subject of this notice, Fred, John, Anna, and Henry (deceased). Hans was nineteen years old when the family came to America, and he settled in Benton County, remaining under the parental roof for some time after. In 1881 he came to Cherokee County, and lo- cated on a farm which he had purchased in the fall of 1880; it is situated in Tilden Township, and contains 240 acres. At that time it was raw prairie, with no more trace of civilization than the red inan left behind him, but to-day it presents a vastly different appearance; there is a good frame residence, and one of the finest barns in the county; two acres and a half of beautiful grove add much to the attractiveness of the place, and every- thing indicates that industry and economy are the rules of the owner. Mr. Hadenfeldt disposed of eighty acres included in his first purchase, and afterward bought forty acres more, so that his farm now covers 200 acres. Employing his whole time and attention to this one line of business, he has made a marked success, and through honesty and
fair dealing has won the confidence and re- spect of a large circle of friends. Mr. Har- denfeldt was married in the spring of 1875, to Miss Rosa Sheel, a daughter of Hans and Katie Sheel. She was born in Holstein, Germany, and came to America when she was a small child; her parents settled in Benton County, Iowa, and there she grew to womanhood Mr. and Mrs. Hadenfeldt have seven children: John, born November 14, 1875; Lu, born February 26, 1878; Aggie, born July 17, 1880; George, born May 27, 1883; Lanra, born May 24, 1885; Paulie, born June 23, 1886; IIenry, born July 26, 1888. The parents are members of the Lutheran Church, and are among the most worthy people of Cherokee County.
AWRENCE M. ULSTAD, a native of Norway, was born July 6, 1848, and is a son of Michael and Hendrikkne (To- biesen) Ulstad. He passed his boyhood and youth in his native land, content with his sur- roundings until he was uineteen years of age, when he determined to emigrate to America, and seek the fortune there might be in store for him. On reaching this country he settled in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, where he hired out by the month at $12. After six months had elapsed he went to the pineries of Michigan, and remained there in the employ of one company for seven and a half years. In 1876 he came to Cherokee County and purchased eighty acres of raw prairie land in Tilden Township, and set about making a home in the new country; his nearest neigh- bor on the south was nine miles distant, and the nearest one on the west was seven miles away. It was just at this time that grass- hoppers came, and for four seasons they de- stroyed the crops. One less courageous than
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
Mr. Ulstad would have given up in despair, but his pluck held out longer than the grass- hoppers, and since that time he has been prosperous in his agricultural pursuits. He has added 200 acres to his first purchase, and now is proprietor of 280 acres of finely im- proved land. He has a good farm residence, ample accommodations for live-stock, and cribs for the protection of grain; he has planted three acres of grove, adding at the same time beauty and value to his land. All the indications are that in spite of adversity in the beginning of his residence in the county, Mr. Ulstad has met with a generous degree of success. When he landed in Amer- ica he had only $10 in his pocket, and it is from this small beginning that he has acen- mulated his present property. Mr. Ulstad is an active worker in the interests of the Republican party, and has held the offices of constable, road supervisor, school director, and is the present trustee of the township. Au- gust 9, 1874, occurred the marriage of Law- rence M. Ulstad and Emma Goodmanson, who was born in Norway, September 6, 1851. They are the parents of seven children: Etta M., Hattie, Eddie T. L., Gyda, Lillie, Olive and Ebbie. Mr. and Mrs. Ulstad are mem- bers of the Lutheran Church, of which the former is a trustee.
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J. CLARK, dealer in general merchan. dise and agricultural implements, farmer and stockinan, is the pioneer business man of Quimby. Like many lead- ing citizens of Iowa, he first saw the light in the State of Pennsylvania. He was born in Bedford County, Jannary 17, 1836, and is a son of Isaac and Susan (Lambert) Clark, na- tives of Pennsylvania. Isaac Clark was born of English ancestors. A. J. Clark was reared
to that most independent of occupations, farming, and until he was twenty-one years of age he resided under his father's roof. The spirit of enterprise and push was strong within him, and he determined to go West so that his energies might have full play. He came as far as Galesburg, Illinois, on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, and bought a horse there on which he traveled to Black Haw !: County, Iowa. He was married in Black Hawk County, March 17, 1859, to Miss Rose Hun Taylor, a native of Bedford County, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of James and Susan Taylor. A short time after his marriage Mr. Clark started with an ox-team for Topeka, Kansas, where his father owned a large tract of land. For two years he lived on this land, and im- proved a portion of it. He then returned to Lucas County, lowa, and resided there until 1863, when he took a trip to Colorado; while there he engaged in mining and prospecting, and also did some freighting. In 1866 he returned to Black Hawk County, and made his home there until 1869, when he came to Cherokee Connty; he was one of the earliest settlers in Willow Township, and the first season he lived there he broke 200 acres of land. As soon as this came into market he bought eighty acres, and fromn year to year he has added to this small beginning until he owns 1,160 acres. Mr. Clark has probably broken more land than any other man in the eastern part of the county; his breaking teams have often numbered from ten to fifteen yoke of oxen. He was engaged in stock-raising and feeding until he went into business in Quimby. In October, 1887, he started the first business house in the town of Quimby. His store building is 28 x 30 feet, with a large wareroom in the rear; it is well filled with a good stock of general mer- chandise, and is a credit to the proprietor. The agricultural implement building is a
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