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 69
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a fine grove of five acres, all the surround- ings indicating thrift and prosperity. Al- thongli a young inan Mr. Bierman has attained an advanced position in business cir- cles and is thoroughly deserving of the es- teem in which he is held. His entire time and attention are occupied with farming and stock-raising, and he has been very success- ful in these enterprises. He is a firm adher- ent to the principles of the Democratic party. Mr. Bierman was married February 14, 1882, to Miss Emma O'Neal, a daughter of Peter and Debbie O'Neal. She was born in Liv- ingston County, Illinois, October 16, 1862. Four children have been born of this union: Vennie, John, Roy and Harry. Mrs. Bier. man is an acceptable member of the Method- ist Episcopal Church. It is indeed a pleas- ure to witness the realization of hopes and worthy ambitions; in attaining his present position Mr. Bierman has been dependent npon his own resources, but has been snc- cessful in all his efforts.
C. COOK was born in Wayne County, Illinois, July 8, 1833, and is the son of James and Elizabetlı (Clark) Cook, na- tives of the State of Kentucky. He is the youngest and only one of a family of six chil- dren living. His mother died when he was between three and four years old, and he was thus early deprived of that tender love and care such as only a mother can give. He was brought up on a farm, and received a very limited education in the common schools; however, by close observation he has acquired a fund of information that enables him to attend to any business in practical life. He continued to reside with his father until his twentieth year, when the father died. He then removed to Carroll County, Illinois,
where he spent two years, and in 1855 he came to Iowa, and settled in Jackson County ; at that time lie was engaged in drilling arte- sian wells, and remained there until 1860, when he went to St. Joe, Missonri, and there joined the John Deeds wagon train, and made an overland trip to California. He remained in that State until 1866, engaged in mining and wood chopping. He then returned as far east as Jackson County, Iowa, a.id there he resided until he came to Cherokee Connty, with the exception of one year spent in Clin- ton County, Iowa. In 1871 he came to Cherokee County, and bought 160 acres of railroad land in Amherst Township, paying 86 per acre; he then went back to Jackson County, and did not return to Cherokee Connty until 1873, when he brought his family, consisting of his wife and one child. He first erected a small building which served as a temporary residence; as soon as some- thing better could be provided the first one was deserted, and now serves as a store-house for tools and farming implements. The sta- ble was constructed of railroad ties, with a
roof of hay. With these primitive buildings they began life in the new country, but from time to time have improved or replaced the old structures, and now have one of the best improved farms in the county. Mr. Cook has planted five acres of grove which sur- rounds his buildings, and presents a most attractive picture. It is really difficult to realize that only a few years ago the Indian's camp kettle smoked where there is now a beautiful lawn, and that his wigwam was stretched where the comfortable, cheery dwell- ing of the white man now stands. Mr. Cook has done much toward the upbuilding of this portion of the county and well deserves the respect and esteem in which he is held, and he has not stood alone in these labors bnt has been cheered and encouraged by a faithful
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wife. He was married December 5, 1866, to Miss Kate Gnenther, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Yond) Gnenther, natives of Ger- many and Pennsylvania respectively. Mrs. Cook was born in Lycoming County, Penn- sylvania. Jnly 16, 1839. The result of this union has been two children: Lizzie, born September 10, 1870, and Katie, born July 1, 1876. The parents are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically Mr. Cook is a stanch Republican, and has held the office of township trustee for thirteen years. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Lodge No. 359, being one of the charter members; he was the first N. G., and has held the same position several times.
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N. DAWSON .- This substantial and reliable young farmer is a resident of Cedar Township, Cherokee County, where he located in 1880. He was born in Green County, Wisconsin, October 21, 1854, and is a son of John J. and Mary A. (Par- rot) Dawson. Jolin J. Dawson was a native of West Virginia, and settled in Green County in 1839, being one of the earliest pioneers of Southern Wisconsin. He was twice married. and had fourteen children, six daughters and eight sons. S. N. Dawson, the subject of this brief biography, was reared in the county of his birth, and obtained his education in the public schools and in the Broadhead Academy. He was united in marriage May 27, 1880, to Miss Kate M. Fleek, a daughter of Jerome B. and Marga- ret Fleek, and the same year settled in Cedar Township. In 1883 he returned to Wisconsin and remained there three years, and then in 1886 he came back to Cedar Township, and located on his present farin; it contains 440 acres, 400 of which are under cultivation.
He has made many valuable improvements on the place, and to-day it is considered one of the best in the county. Mr. Dawson devotes his time exclusively to farming and stock- raising, and has met with marked success in his undertakings. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Dawson: Jerome B. and Maggie May. In political thought and action Mr. Dawson affiliates with the Repub- lican party. Althoughi a young man he has attained an enviable position in the county, both from a social and financial point of view, and has the confidence and respect of all who know him.
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ENRY BEJASCH, one of the rising yonng farmers of Tilden Township, Cherokee County, was born in Switzer- land, September 25, 1857, and is a son of John and Dorothy Bejasch. His childhood and early yonth were passed in his own beau- tiful country, and he was trained to that most useful occupation, farming; he received a fair education in the common schools. His parents hoping to give their children a better chance in this life, and perhaps better their own circumstances, emigrated to America when Henry was fifteen years of age. The father died three years later, leaving his son an inheritance of forty acres of land, and the memory of an industrions, frugal father, but with this exception he has accumulated all his property thronghi his own efforts. In 1880 Mr. Bejasch came to Cherokee County from Jones County, Iowa, where he had made his home for seven years, and settled in Silver Township; he lived there three years on 160 acres of raw land which he had pur- chased, and at the end of three years he sold it and bought 160 acres in Rock Township, which he traded one year later for his present
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farm of 160 acres; he has added to this 120 acres, all of which is well fenced, making 280 acres in all; he has made many valuable im- provements on the farm, and has one of the most desirable places in the township. His whole time and attention are occupied with farming and stock-raising, and his industry and wise management have brought their re- ward. Mr. Bejasch was reared in the faith of the Reformed Church, and has lived a life of such integrity and uprightness that he has the confidence and respect of all who know him. Politically he is identified with the Democratic party.
OSEPH D. WIRT, a progressive and enterprising farmer of Amherst Town- ship, Cherokee County, was born in Ly- coming County, Pennsylvania, June 18, 1842, and is the son of William and Elizabeth (Yond) Wirt, natives of Pennsylvania. The father now resides in Jackson County, Iowa, but the mother is deceased. Our subject was reared in his native State until he liad attained his twelfth year, and then the family removed to Iowa. He was trained to agricultural pur- suits, and obtained his education in the com- mon schools. When the great Rebellion broke out he determined to go to the defense of the nation, and accordingly, August 17, 1862, he enlisted in Company A, Twenty- fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and served three years. He was promoted to Corporal, and was twice wounded, once with grape and canister, and once with a spent ball. He participated in a number of battles and skir- mishes, the most important being Champion Hill, Vicksburg, Raymond, and the Red River Expedition under General Banks. After the declaration of peace he returned to lowa, and engaged in farming with his father
for three years. In 1869 he went to Mis- sonri and remained there one year, when he inigrated as far north as Yankton, Dakota Territory, where he resided until 1879, en- gaged in farming. He then came to Cher- okee County, and located in Amherst Town- ship, renting land for three years. He then purchased eighty acres and founded a home for his family. He first erected a small building in which they lived until 1888, when he built a fine frame dwelling, which is one of the handsomest in that part of the county. He has added another eighty acres to his first purchase, and now has 160 acres under ex- cellent cultivation. He has planted five and a half acres of grove, which adds inch to the beanty of the farm. Mr. Wirt is a live, ener- getic man, and stands in the front ranks of the Cherokee County farmers. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party, and in 1888 was elected trustee of the township. On March 24, 1873, occurred the wedding of Joseph D. Wirt and Miss Maggie Guenther, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Young) Guenther. Her father was a native of Ger- many, and her mother was born in Pennsyl- vania. She was born in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, February 11, 1849. Mr. and Mrs. Wirt are the parents of six children: Frank C., Fred H., Willie, Ive, Bessie N. and Lewis E. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the family are among the most worthy and respected of Cherokee County.
OBIAS BEJASCH .- That most pict- uresqne and beautiful country, Switzer- land, is the birthplace of many worthy and respected citizens of these United States, among them the subject of this brief biog- raphy, Tobias Bejasch. He was born May
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
27, 1856, and is the son of John and Dorothy Bejasch. Until seventeen years of age he resided in his native land, being trained to the practical business of farming. In 1873 he came to America with his father and one brother, his eldest brother having come over in 1871. They arrived in July, 1873, and journeyed on to Iowa, settling in Mon- ticello, Jones County; there they abode seven years, and in 1880 came to Cherokee Connty. Mr. Bejasch purchased 160 acres of land in Silver Township, on which he resided three years; in 1883 he bonglit 160 acres in Til- den Township, which had some improve- ments, and since that time he has made his home there. He has made many valuable improvements, and the farm is one of the best fenced in the township; he has added eighty acres to his first purchase in Tilden Township, making 240 acres in all. He is a live, energetic man, and occupying his time exclusively with farming and stock-raising, his efforts have been attended with universal success. Politically Mr. Bejasch is non-par- tisan, casting his vote for the man he thinks best qualified for the duties that will devolve upon him in filling the office in question. He received at the time of his father's death, in 1876, forty acres of land, but with this ex- ception he has accumulated all his property throngh his own efforts. And although a young man, he stands to- day in the front ranks of Cherokee County's substantial and reliable citizens. He was reared in the Reformed Church.
OSEPH WEIS was born in Baden, Ger- many, February 10, 1836, and is a son of David and Anna (Eichenlaub) Weis. At the age of seventeen years lie came to America, his father giving bond to the Gov-
ernment for his appearance when called upon for military service. He lived with his father's brother near Rochester, New York, until his family followed him three years, after his own emigration. They remained at Brockport, New York, until the fall of 1856, when they came West and settled in Du- buque County, Iowa; there they improved a farm of 180 acres, and made it their home until 1861 when they removed to Delaware County, Iowa. Joseph was inclined to enter the army, but his father persuaded him to remain at hoine, as he had come to this country mainly to avoid military service in his native land. Mr. Weis was married Oc- tober 20, 1861, to Miss Odelia Plaster, and remained on the hoine farm until 1863, when he secured a farm near by, on which he lived until 1872. Desiring to engage in other business lie entered the employ of an agri- cultural implement firm at Dyersville, Iowa, and continued there three years, at the end of which time he purchased property in Dyersville, and engaged in the liquor trade until 1881, when he rented the business and removed to Lyons, Iowa. Mrs. Odelia Weis died January 14, 1880, and Mr. Weis was married a second time, to Mrs. Mary Meyer widow of Bernard H. Meyer. She owned a saloon business at Lyons, of which Mr. Weis assnmed the management. Two years later he bought this property and traded it and his Dyersville property for the land on which he now lives. He has a fine tract of land of 232 acres, well adapted to grain and stock- growing. Mr. Weis's first family consisted of ten children, two of whom died in infancy: Kate, wife of Thomas Daley; Joseph; Louisa, wife of L. Kurtz; Will and Ben, twins; Louie, Josephine and Henry. Josephine, now a girl of fourteen years, lives with an uncle, Rev. Henry Plaster, a Catholic priest at Hammond, Indiana. The children of Mr.
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
and Mrs. Weis are: Anton, Odelia, Pauline and Mattias. The children of Mrs. Weis by her first husband are: Christian, Frank, Ber- nard, George, Elizabeth, Mary and Casper. Bernard died November 9, 1888, in his twentieth year, his death being the result of an accident; in drawing a loaded gun from a buggy the trigger caught and the gun was discharged, shattering his right arm; after seven days' suffering he passed away. He was an especially bright and amiable boy, and his death was a severe blow to the family. Mrs. Weis was born January 17, 1845, near the city of Chicago, her parents being John and Mary E. (Hoffman) Fagen. Her mar- riage to Bernard H. Meyer occurred May 14, 1865, and he died March 31, 1879. He had three children by a former marriage: Henry, Richard and Anton.
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ILLIAM LIKE, a progressive and successful farmer of Spring Town- ship, was born in Onondaga County, New York, October 9, 1832. His parents were David and Mary (Abrams) Like, also natives of New York, of German ancestry. When sixteen years of age William's father gave him his time and he went to work on the Erie Canal, and until he was twenty-one he was employed in various duties in connec- tion with the canal and farin. He then re- turned to his father's farm and devoted tlie principal part of the following seven years to farming. Mr. Like was married April 3, 1859, in Cattaraugus County, New York, to Miss Hansi E. Butler, who was born in that connty January 23, 1840. In 1866 they came to Jones County, lowa, where they passed the next three and a half years. Then they removed to Cherokee County in the spring of 1870, and Mr. Like entered a home-
stead in section 30, Afton Township; there they resided until 1882, when they removed to their present farm, on which they have since lived. Mr. Like is engaged in mixed farming, and has done well since coming to the county ; his possessions amounted to about $600, including stock, implements, etc., and he now owns an elegant farm of 320 acres, and is surrounded with every conven- ience for liis business. Mr. and Mrs. Like are the parents of four children, two sons and two daughters: Alice P. is the wife of Emery Secor, of Afton Township; William H., George E. and Nellie 'May, of Spring Township. Our subject is a stanch sup- porter of the principles of the Republican party, and the people of his township have attested their confidence in him by calling him to fill many of the offices discharging public business. He and his wife are hon- ored members of the Methodist Episcopal Church; lie is steward of that body. They are numbered with the reliable, substantial citizens of Cherokee County.
ILES GREGG is one of the early settlers and well-known citizens of Cherokee County, having come here in 1869. He was born in Belmont County, Ohio, May 31, 1847, and is a son of Nelson Gregg, one of the early settlers of Cedar Township, but now a resident of Meriden, lowa. When Niles was fifteen years of age his parents emigrated to Iowa and settled in Warren County, where they lived three years. At the end of that period of time they went to Marion County, Iowa, and there they resided until 1869, when the father came to Cherokee County and took a homestead in Cedar Township. Niles remained with his father one year after that time and then returned to Marion County
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
where he worked two years. He then came back to Cherokee County and bought a Gov- erment homestead adjoining his father's farm. There lie has since resided, devoting his time and attention to the improvement and cultivation of his farm. As his means increased he made additions to his first pur- chase, and now owns 200 acres of choice land. This farm is admirably adapted to the raising of live-stock, as it is watered by Mill Creek. Mr. Gregg keeps about 100 head of cattle, and has eighteen head of horses. He has erected a small house, and has good farm buildings for the care and protection of live- stock and grain. Mr. Gregg was united in marriage in 1871, at Knoxville, Iowa, to Miss Sarah E. Cody, a daughter of Austin Cody, Esq. Two children have been born of this marriage: Arthur and Delia. Politically our subject has no party ties, preferring to use his own judgment as to who shall fill the offices of this Governinent. He is a mall yet in the prime of life, and has attained an advanced position, socially and financially, in the county.
OHN H. BAKER, one of the most enter- prising men it has been the fortune of Grand Meadow Township to claim as a citizen, died in Los Angeles, California, in the Sisters' Hospital, December 16, 1888. He was born in the State of Pennsylvania, October 4, 1850. His parents were also na- tives of Pennsylvania, but removed to Iowa when he was one year old, and when he was eight years old both had died, leaving him and one sister, Emma, now Mrs. Jenkins, and two half sisters, Mrs. Lizzie Brooks and Mrs. Alice Pixler. After his mother's death he lived with an uncle, Henry Fry, in Clayton County, until he was fifteen years old, when
he began to work on a farm by the month. During the winters he attended the common school, and in the season worked with a threshing machine. Mr. Baker was married June 10, 1871, to Miss Armilda Spickelmier, a danghter of Jesse and Sarah (Veach) Spick- elmier. She was born in Indiana, July 23, 1851, and was left an orphan at the age of seven years; from that time until she was fourteen years old she made her home with an uncle, Asa Veach, in Clayton County, Iowa, and then was obliged to depend upon her own efforts for a living. While employed in the family of Mr. Baker's uncle she met him there. It is not strange that two people whose lives had been so alike should have been attracted to each other; both left orphans in early childhood, both brought up by an uncle until barely able to earn a living, and then thrown upon their young resources, and both struggling bravely on until better days came to gladden their hearts. For five years after their marriage they rented land in Clay- ton County, and in the fall of 1876 they came to Cherokee County and purchased 160 acres, erecting a little shanty, in which they lived nntil better quarters conld be procured. Their first years in Cherokee County were by no means encouraging, but they persevered, and by diligence and industry came out conquer- ors. They had paid $100 on their land when they located, and from time to time they were enabled to make investments until they owned the east lialf of section 3 and the west lialf of section 2; the farm still contains this amount of land, and the improvements are of the best kind; the dwelling was erected at a cost of $2,000, and a substantial barn at a cost of $1,800. Mr. Baker devoted the greater part of his time to the raising of live- stock, and was very successful in this indus- try. He was prominently identified with the Republican party, and represented his town-
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ship in many of its public offices; he was elected county supervisor, and was serving his first term when he died. Mr. and Mrs. Baker had nine children born to them: Henry, Willie, Ernest, Almeda (who died at the age of eleven inonthis), Gertie, Emma, Ella, Es- tella, and Roy, who died at the age of six months. Mr. Baker was ill for about one year before his death. By the advice of his physician he went to California, and had been there only one week when the relentless hand of death was upon him. His wife hastened to his side, but the journey is long and she did not reach him until he had been dead two days. She brought his remains back to the well-beloved home and the sorrow stricken children, and laid him to rest in the Tilden Cemetery. He was a man of strong features and fine physique, and a character which did not detract from his fine physical appearance. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge at Marcus for five years; of Burning Bush Chapter, No. 90, R. A. M., and of Crusade Commandery, No. 39, K. T. He also be- longs to the A. O. U. W. He carried a life insurance of $6,000, all of which was promptly paid to his widow. He left a will, disposing of his property, so that the inatter was set- tled in a inost satisfactory way. In the deatlı of John H. Baker the community lost a most loyal, zealous citizen, and his family a true and tried father and husband.
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UCIUS EDWIN HEATON was born in St. Lawrence County, New York, July 20, 1856. His parents, Lewis and Mary (Brown) Heaton, are natives of Vermont and Massachusetts respectively. They were mar- ried in the State of New York, and removed to Tazewell County, Illinois, in December, 1856. After seven years they went to White-
side County, and after a residence there of three years they came to Iowa in 1867, and located in Tama County. There they founded a new home, and are still living on the old place. They have a family of eleven children living, and one deceased: Clara, wife of Jolin Peck; Lucins Edward, the subject of this sketch; Louisa, wife of S. Tompkins; James, who died at the age of eighteen months; William, Alfred, Ward P., Arthur A., Myron C., Berthia C., Charles, and Lewis, who owns a farm in Tilden Township. Lucius Edwin remained at home until his marriage, which occurred March 10, 1878, to Miss Maria Louisa Spracklin, a daughter of Peter and Catherine (Russell) Spracklin, who was born in Tama County, Iowa, September 27, 1858. Mr. Heaton was educated in the common schools, and in Addison Institute, at Irving, Benton County, Iowa. He began to teach at the age of eighteen, and for four years was engaged in this profession. After a residence in Story County, Iowa, he removed to Chero- kee County in 1882, and bought his present farm. It was wild, raw land, without im- provements. He has expended about $4,000 in buildings and other improvements, and it is to-day one of the most desirable farmns in the township of Grand Meadow. For the past year and a half he has been engaged in shipping stock, in partnership with Willian Sonthall, of Pierson. Their business averages over 200 cars per annum. During six months of the year 1885 Mr. Heaton was in the ele- vator of Pierson. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Heaton: Mary E., Row- land, Geneva, Clara, Windsor and Ruth. Mrs. Heaton is a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Heaton is a member of Seba Lodge, No. 364, A. F. & A. M., and also of the A. O. U. W. He is prominently identified with the Republican party, often attending conventions and serving on com
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
mittees. The people of his township have shown the confidence which they have in him by calling him to fill their public offices. He has been clerk for three years and a half, and was justice of the peace for two years. He is a live, energetic man, and ranks among the leading farmers of the county.
M OSES MUMMERT .- This highly re- spected member of the County Board of Supervisors was born in York County, Pennsylvania, October 6, 1834, and is a son of Jonas and Elizabeth (Strummel) Mummert, also natives of Pennsylvania, and early settlers in that State. The father died in 1876, but his widow survives him at the age of sixty-four years, and now resides on the old homestead at Astoria, Illinois. Their family consisted of thirteen children, three of whom died in infancy. Their names are: John, George, Cornelius, Jonas, Conrad, Moses, Andrew, Polly, Elizabeth, Barbara, Sevilla, Amanda, and one infant that died unnamed. Of these, two besides Moses reside in Cherokee County, Jonas in Afton Town- ship, and Conrad in Spring Township. The other members of the family are residing in Illinois. Jonas Mummert, Sr., settled in Fulton County, Illinois, in 1866, buying a farm near Astoria, on which his widow re- sides. Moses remained at home until his twenty-first year, when his father died, after which he worked by the month, but turned his wages into the family fund. In 1875, in company with his brother Conrad, he came to Iowa and rented land of W. H. Scripp, a banker of Astoria, and an old friend of the family and a careful business man. He owned all of section 36, Afton Township, and to this the brothers came and began farming. After carrying on the business in partnership
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