Biographical history of Page 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 of Page County, with personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families; and a concise history of the county, the cities, and the townships, Part 51

Author: Lewis and Dunbar, Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis & Dunbar
Number of Pages: 946

USA > Iowa > Page County > Biographical history of Page 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 of Page County, with personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families; and a concise history of the county, the cities, and the townships > Part 51

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

485

HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.

room ever since. He is a registered pharma- cist and is carrying on a business second to none in Clarinda. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party and is an active worker; he has represented the people as city clerk for five years and has been an efficient officer. He has served as chairman of the Republican Central Committee for two years, and has been the right man in the right place. He is a member of the Masonic order, being identified with Nodaway Lodge, No. 140; he is also a member of the A. O. U. W.

Mr. Lundy was united in marriage, Octo- ber 21, 1885, to Miss Alice Clement, daugh- ter of A. T. Clement, a well-known business man of Clarinda. Although a young man he has attained an enviable position both in po- litical and business circles.

ENRY LORANZ, the present Postmast- er of Clarinda, Iowa, has been identified with the interests of Page County since 1858. He is a native of Fulton County, Illi- nois, born February 12, 1844, and is a son of Anthony Loranz, an early pioneer of Page County, whose biography appears on an- other page of this volume. Henry was only fourteen years of age when his father came to Page County, where he passed the remainder of his youth. His early education was ob- tained in the public schools of Fulton County, Illinois, and Page County, Iowa; he continued his studies at Eastman's Business College, Chicago.

It is a fact that every American citizen rec- ognizes that he owes a duty to his country, and in July, 1863, Henry Loranz enlisted in the Eighth Iowa Cavalry, Company A, and was soon in the field of conflict. He was taken prisoner thirty-five miles southwest of Atlanta, Georgia, and was confined at An-

dersonville prison, where he suffered all the horrors that can well be imagined, for one month; he was one of thirty thousand con- fined there at that time, the largest number ever held there. From this place he was transferred to Charleston, where he remained one month, and was thence sent to Florence, South Carolina, where he was held five nionths. He was released at Wilmington, Nortlı Caro- lina, in March, 1865. He was taken to An- napolis, Maryland, where he was clothed and was thence sent to St. Louis. He was honor- ably discharged at Clinton, Iowa.

After attending business college at Chi- cago in 1866, he returned to Clarinda, Iowa, and engaged in mercantile pursuits with his father until 1871. In that year he was elect- ed Treasurer of Page County, which office he held continuously for twelve years. He was not a candidate for re-election at the expira- tion of his last term. In 1884 he formed a co-partnership with his brother Raymond, in the abstract and loan business, which relation still exists. He was appointed Postmaster May 1, 1889, and has filled the position with credit to himself and the best interests of the public. He has been a strong Republi- can all his life, and has been prominently identified with the party in Page County. He is a member of Warren Post, No. 11, G. A. R., and has the honor of being a charter member of the organization. He belongs to Nodaway Lodge, No. 140, A. F. & A. M., and to Clarinda Chapter, No. 29, R. A. M. He is also connected with the A. O. U. W., Un- ion Lodge, No. 38. He is an elder in the Presbyterian Church, and for twenty-three years has served as clerk of the session.

Mr. Loranz was united in marriage Febru- ary 18, 1869, to Miss Carrie A. Little, of Altona, Illinois. Mrs. Loranz was educated in the Granville and Steubenville Female Seminaries of Ohio, and mnade a specialty of

486

HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.

the study of music; she has been a successful teacher of the art for many years, and for twenty years has been the organist of the Presbyterian church.

Mr. and Mrs. Loranz are the parents of five children: Mabel B., Grace, Alfred B., Bertha Rose, Carrie. Mabel B., aged five years, and Grace, aged seven months, died in 1874, and were both buried in the same grave.

Mr. Loranz and his estimable wife have al- ways taken an active interest in education and religion, and are numbered among Clarinda's inost highly respected citizens.

APTAIN J. H. PALMER, one of the thorough-going and enterprising farın- ers and stock-raisers of Colfax Town- ship, is justly entitled to a complete personal sketch in a work of this character. He is a native of Ulster County, New York, born October 10, 1838. He is a son of Harvey Palmer, a native of the same connty. His inaternal grandmother was the daughter of a wealthy settler cn Manhattan Island; his mother's maiden name was Jane Harcourt, and she was born in Ulster County, New York, a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Merritt) Harcourt, members of a prominent English family. Harvey Palmer and wife reared five children, of whom J. H. is the eldest son. He was reared on a farın, and also clerked in a country store kept by his father. Heattended the common schools and academy. In August, 1862, he became a member of Company A, One Hundred and Fitty-sixth New York Volunteer Infantry, and served three years and three months. He was first under fire in the swamps of Lonisi- ana and participated in the engagements at Port Hudson, Winchester, Cedar Creek, Fisher's Hill, and many lesser battles.

He enlisted in the army as a private, but was soon promoted to Fourth Sergeant, next to Orderly, and then, because of supe- rior ability, he jumped to First Lieutenant of his company, and was soon cominissioned Captain. He had charge of the gold coin captured with Jefferson Davis, which was said to belong to the Confederacy. It amounted to a vast sum, and was transported by Captain Palmer in kegs from Augusta, Georgia, to Savannah. He was honorably discharged in November, 1865, at Augusta, Georgia. After the war he went to Mississippi for the purpose of locating there, but found the South still " too hot " for him politically. In 1866 he went to Hancock County, Illinois, where he engaged in farming and stock-raising. In 1872 he came to Iowa and located in Fremont County, six miles south of Shenandoah, Page County; there he remained one year, and then came to Page County and purchased his present farm, which was wild land; he first secured 120 acres, and then added as much inore: the farm now contains 300 acres in a body, is situate one mile south of Coin, and named Hazer Grove Stock Farın. It is a very valnable tract, and is especially adapted by nature to the raising of live stock, being wat- ered by the East Tarkio. The buildings are of a substantial kind; the residence is beauti- fully located on a natural building site and is surrounded with shade and ornamental trees.

Captain Palmer is largely interested in dairying; he keeps some of the Holstein grades, and has in all thirty cows. At the time of the organization of the Blanchard Creamery Company he was one of the prime mnovers, and was on the committee to investi- gate the various plans and methods of con- ducting such an establishment. Politically he is a radical Republican. He is a member of Page Post, No. 65, G. A. R., at Coin; he was a charter member and its first command-

I. E. Linderman

6. Linderman

487

HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.

er. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Churchı at Coin, and he is one of the trustees and steward.

Captain Palmer was united in marriage February, 1860, to Miss Martha Schoonmaker, a native of Ulster County, New York, and a daughter of Joshua Schoonmaker of an old Hu- guenot family. Eight children were born of this marriage: Mary J., wife of Oliver Ernst, Georgia A., Ella, Carrie R. and Hayes; there are three deceased: Harvey, who was killed by an accident at the age of nine years; Gar- field, who died at the age of six years, and Joseph, who died at the age of four years.

During his residence in Page County Cap- tain Palmer has made many friends, and is now counted among the most enterprising farmers and business men of his community.

ILLIAM OSBORN, son of Thomas A. Osborn, a native of Winchester, Virginia, was born near McConells- ville, Morgan County, Ohio, January 6, 1825; came to Lee County, Iowa, in the spring of 1853; was married to Miss Carolina Mead in Clark County, Missouri, March 27, 1856, and removed to southwestern Iowa; in April fol- lowing settled in Page County, Valley Town- ship, on the north part of section 36, where he had purchased land previously, on which to make a farın, and he still resides on the same farm. The family of children con- sists of three daughters: Corie, Almena and Lorena.

JON. CHARLES LINDERMAN .- Pio- neers are born, not made. Not every man or woman has the sterling qualities and attributes to be a successful pioneer. Not every nation can produce them. The colo- 36

mizing germ is not found with every race. The Anglo-Saxon race is a pre eminently pioneer one. Its glory has ever been to plant colonies and found states, ordain govern- ments, and extend the domain of Christian civilization. The dreamer, the idler, the doubter are left beliind. The selfish, the greedy, the miserly wait until the opening is made and the bridges are built. But the true pioneer turns his face toward the setting sun. He is courageous without vanity ; a conqueror without pomp or parade. He pushes his way through trackless forests, he fords the great rivers, and climbs the lofty mountains. The environments of the pioneer have produced a new type of manhood with a humanity broad enough for universal brotherhood. His life has been too busy and too earnest for him to tell of himself. He makes history but leaves others to write it. He helps to organize society and forms constitutions. He sets up and puts in operation all the complicated machinery of modern civilization, and steps aside, leaving others to enter into the details and routine of complete administration.

All that has been said will apply to Charles Linderman, a biographical sketch of whom will be a valuable addition to those collected of the early settlers of Page County. He was born near Bloomingburg, Orange County, New York, February 4, 1829, and is a son of Absalom and Sarah (McLauglılin) Linderman. The fatlier was born in 1782, and the grand- father came from Germany and settled in the State of New York when he was a pioneer there. Sarah Mclaughlin was a daughter of Robert Mclaughlin, of Irish extraction, and a farmer by occupation; he was a soldier in the war of 1812.

Charles Linderman is the ninth of a family of eleven children, six of whom are living; one brother resides in Colorado, and the others, excepting our subject, live near the old home-

488

HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.

stead in New York. He received his early education in the common schools and in the Academy at Bloomingburg; in 1851 he en- tered Hamilton College, Clinton, New York, from which institution he was graduated in 1854. The following year he spent in teaclı- ing at Seneca Falls, New York. In the autumn of 1855 he was convinced that the great, undeveloped West was his best field from which to reap life's harvest. So he came to Scott County, Iowa, where he engaged in teaching for one winter. In the spring of 1856 he removed to Nebraska Territory, and that season assisted the Government surveyors in establishing the Sixth Principal Meridian. In November of the same year helocated at Sidney, FremontCounty, Iowa, where he re- inained until the spring of 1859, during which period he was engaged in teaching school and serving as deputy clerk of Fremont County.

In April, 1859, he arrived in Page County, where he engaged in the practice of law for a few months. The following fall he was appointed clerk of Page County, and in the antumn of 1860 he was elected by the people to the same office to which he had been ap- pointed. He made an excellent official, as the court records will show, and as another proof of his ability lie was re-elected to the office in 1862. Even at so early a day the people of Page County knew the value of a first-class official as found in the person of Mr. Linderman.

But before he had completed his last term of office the great civil war cloud had spread its pall over this fair land. In August, 1863, he resigned his office and at once enlisted as a private in the Union army, becoming a inember of Company A, Eighth Iowa Cavalry. He was elected Second-Lieutenant of his com- pany, and was mustered into active service at Davenport, Iowa. The regiment was at once sent forward to Louisville, Kentucky, from

which point they marched to Nashville, Ten- nessee. Having headquarters at Waverly, Tennessee, they guarded the railways between Nashville and Johnstown along the Tennessee River during that winter. Mr. Linderman was detailed to do provost-marshal duty, and in the spring of 1864 served as Acting Quartermaster. A greater portion of his time spent in the army was in filling positions of trust and responsibility, such as but few are fitted to fill. He was mustered out of the service at Clinton, Iowa, in September, 1865. He at once returned to Clarinda and was elected that autumn a member of the Eleventh General Assembly of Iowa, being a Representative in the House. Here, as in all other positions, he was efficient, and drew to himself many friends. But as true merit always wins, we find Mr. Linderman in the fall of 1866 elected Clerk of the Supreme Court of Iowa. He was re-elected in 1870, serving in all eight years. January 1, 1875, he returned to Clarinda and purchased an interest in the First National Bank, which is now known as the Page County Bank, and with which he is still associated as a large stockholder and as an official.

Mr. Linderman was united in marriage November 7, 1877, to Mrs. S. E. Conine, whose maiden name was Powers. She is the daughter of the late J. H. Powers, one of Page County's early pioneers. By this union one child was born-Ina L.

Our worthy subject is a member of the Masonic fraternity, having passed all the chairs of the blue lodge, chapter and com- mandery. He also belongs to the I. O. O. F., the Knights of Pythias, and the G. A. R. Politically he is a firm believer in the prin- ciples of the Republican party, with which he has voted and labored in various capacities from the Fremont campaign of 1856 to the election of Benjamin Harrison.

489

HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.

In his manner Mr. Linderman is plain, retiring and unassuming. He is thoroughly practical in all his ways and methods, and has been foremost in all the public enter- prises both in Clarinda and Page County. The true estimate of a man's character is the pub- lic opinion entertained of him in his own community, and by this never failing index the reader may know our subject to be a refined and cultivated gentleman, whose po- litical, social and business life has been of the highest type.

HARLES C. MOORE is one of the prominent e irly settlers in Page Coun- ty, having located here in 1869. He is a native of the beautiful " Emerald Isle," born in county Monaghan, July 8, 1832, his parents being John and Jane (Ross) Moore. When he was fourteen years old the family bile farewell to their native land and sailed to America, locating at Galena, Illinois, which at that time was noted for its vast lead de- posit; the parents remained there the rest of their days.

Mr. Moore was united in marriage March 5, 1857, to Miss Mary Gray, a daughter of James and Maria (Long) Gray, natives of Ireland. She was born in Jo Daviess County, Illinois, where her parents were among the prominent pioneers. Mr. and Mrs. Moore are the parents of twelve living children: John, James G., Alice, Anna Belle, George W., Josiah, Fenwick, Charles Augus- tus, William E., Ross, Minnie A. and Harry E. Three are not living: Walter, Raymond and Lulu.

In February, 1865, our subject enlisted in the Ninety-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served to the close of the war; one brother, Josiah, died in the service, and three

other brothers were also in the war,-George W., Thomas and Samuel. After the glad message of peace had been proclaimed, Mr. Moore returned to his home and engaged in farming until he came to Iowa; he bought 160 acres of wild land in Donglas Township where he has since resided; he has added to the original purchase until he owns 210 acres of as fine land as lies in Page County. He is surrounded with all the conveniences and comforts of life; he has a comfortable dwell- ing, and excellent buildings for stock and grain; has a good grove, an orchard, a mod- ern windmill, and carries on his farming in the most appoved inanner.

Politically he is a Republican Prohibition- ist, and has been called by the people of his township to serve as trustee and as a member of the school board. He and his wife are active members of the United Presbyterian Church, of which he was one of the organiz- ers; he also served as trustee of the church for many years.

ILLIAM RUSH, a resident of Dong- las Township, will form the subject of this sketch. He came to Page County twenty years ago and purchased 160 acres in section 36, on which he located in February, 1870. He is a native of Morrow County, Ohio, born October 29, 1836, and is a son of Williamn and Abbie (Brewer) Rush, Pennsylvanians by birth. They were married in the State in which they were born, and in 1821 removed to Morrow County, Ohio, where they were counted early settlers; they were the second family to locate in Congress Township of that county, only one tree hav- ing been cut before their arrival there. Will- iam Rush, Sr., served in the war of 1812, and received a land warrant with which he

490

HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.

located lands. He died in 1871, at the ad- vanced age of seventy-nine years, and after his death his widow received a pension of $144 per year during her life-time; she died February 25, 1888, at the old Ohio homestead where she had lived and labored over sixty years.

They reared a family of nine children, five sons and four daughters. William, Jr., is the fifth child; he was reared in Morrow County, Ohio, worked on the farm and attended the common schools. In February, 1863, he re- moved to Illinois, and for two years lived in Henry County; he then removed to Mercer County, Illinois, where he purchased eighty acres of land on which he made his home un- til 1870.

Mr. Rush was married in Henry County, Illinois, December 14, 1865, to Susan Piper, a native of Franklin County, Pennsylvania, She was the daughter of Daniel and Anna (Barr) Piper, both natives of the old " Key- stone " State. She was only seven years of age when her people removed to Henry County in 1857, and in 1869 they came to Page County, where her father and mother lived the remainder of their days. He died in 1874, and she died in 1888.

As before stated, Mr. Rush removed to his land in 1870. There were no improvements excepting a small bit of breaking. In 1873 he erected a good two-story residence, which is now surrounded by a thrifty grove of two and a half acres and an orchard containing four acres; evergreens also adorn and make the place attractive. There is a well-planned barn affording plenty of room for all farm purposes. A fine stock-proof ledge surrounds the place, and the whole farm shows Mr. Rush to be a man of good taste and excellent judgment as well.

Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Rush: William B., Effie M., Albert, Roy

and Virdie, all of whom are still under the parental roof. The parents are members of the Evangelical Church, and were among the first class organized; they also helped build the church located in Valley Township.

Politically our subject is a Democrat. Al- though past fifty he bears his years lightly. In manner he is frank, candid and genial, and he is classed among Douglas Township's best men.

ENRY OTTE, one of the true represent- atives of an adopted American citizen, has made his life a success as well as an honor to those around him. He resides on section 34, Douglas Township, where he owns 640 acres of choice land. He is a pio- neer, and as such is justly entitled to space in a work recording the lives of Page Coun- ty's leading men. He came to the county in 1855 and entered 160 acres of land, on which lie located in the spring of 1856, when Cla- rinda had but a dozen houses, and rank prai- rie grass bedecked the spot now known as the public square.

Henry Otte was born in Hanover, Ger- many, February 4, 1832, and is the son of George and Caroline (Macher) Otte, wlio were the parents of eight children, four of whom grew to maturity. Henry is the youngest child, and remained in his native land until he was fifteen years old. He at- tended school from his sixth year until his fourteenth, and in 1847 he came to America, landing at Quebec. He soon found his way to Jackson County, Indiana, where he spent two years; he then went to Ohio and re- mained there the same length of time, work- ing on a farm and gardening. He then went back to Jackson County, Indiana, where he was married, April 10, 1856, to Miss Char-

491

HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.

lotte Klinge, a dangliter of Henry and Han- nalı (Summers) Klinge. She was born in Hanover, Germany, September 18, 1832.

From 1847 to 1856 Mr. Otte was em- ployed on a farm. Shortly after his marriage he and his wife and his brother and family moved to Iowa, being on the road five weeks, camping out at night and doing their cook- ing. They had to cross many unbridged streams, but they were ferried across the Mississippi; however, the stock had to swim that great river. They settled where they now live, living the first three months in the wagon. Mr. Otte built a lionse as soon as it was possible; eight men were required to raise it, but in that day were free-hearted and neighborly.

After this cabin home was up the family were happy and comfortable, and it served the purpose until 1875, when their present dwelling was erected. It is a roomy structure and stands upon a natural building site, sur- rounded by pretty shade and ornamental trees. An orchard also adds beauty and valne to the place; the grove and orchard togetlier contain ten acres. Barns, sheds, granaries and stock buildings, with stock . scales and a modern wind-mill, make up all the conveniences of farming pursuits. The home farm consists of 360 acres in section 34. There is another tract of 280 acres in section 35, and in addition to this land Mr. Otte owns 360 acres in Nodaway Township, which is well improved, making 1,000 acres in all. It is among the best tracts to be found in Page County, and Mr. Otte is one of the inost successful farmers and stock- raisers.

The family consists of nine children: Will- iam Sauleka (son of Mrs. Otte by her former husband); Lucinda, wife of Henry Goecker; John, Frank, Malinda, wife of William Hart- stack; Harmon, Lottie, wife of John Sunder-

mann; Mary and Caroline. Lonisa died Oc- tober 19, 1889, aged twenty-three years, and Sophia died in infancy. They have all been well educated in the English and German langnages, and have the respect of the entire community in which they live.

Politically Mr. Otte is a Republican, cast- ing liis vote for Lincoln in 1860. He has often held local offices, and was elected Jus- tice of the Peace, but declined to serve. He is a devout member of the German Lutheran church, and was a trustee when the building was erected. His liberality was practically seen and felt when he subscribed and paid $400 to the church building.

Our subject is a self-made man; having commenced without a dollar, he is now a wealthy man and an honored citizen, whom to know is to respect.

ILLIAM D. SUNDERMANN, of Douglas Township, was among Page County's early pioneers, and has lived to see what was a wilderness brought to a high state of cultivation. It is to such men that this portion of Iowa is indebted for all that men look upon as grand and val- uable both in a financial and social way. Mr. Sundermann is a native of the Hoosier State, having been born in Jackson County, Indiana, July 4, 1844. He is a son of Cas- per and Charlotte (Goecker) Sundermann, natives of Germany. The parents were united in marriage in their native land, and had had three children born to them before emigrating to America. They were pioneers in the big woods of Jackson County, Indi- ana, and cleared out a farm from the dense forest, where they spent the remainder of their days. They reared a family of six chil- dren, and lost one by deatlı.

492

IIISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.

William D. is the fourth child, and his early years were passed on the old farm in Indiana, where he was trained to most ex- cellent habits and received a good common- school education. He had two brothers in Page County, Iowa, and when grown to manhood he naturally drifted that way. He came in 1864, and in 1865 we find him working on the farm of William Butler, at $25 per month. The following year he took a trip through Kansas and Missouri, and in March, 1867, he was back at the old home in Indiana, working amid the familiar scenes of his boyhood.

August 29, 1867, he was united in mar- riage to Mary Niewedde. She is a native of Jackson County, Indiana, boru March 6, 1846, and is a daughter of Henry and Mar- garet (Stuckenberg) Niewedde, natives of Germany. Her parents removed to Page County in 1877, and in that year her father died; the inother survived him until 1889.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Author: Lewis and Dunbar, Chicago, pub Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Chicago : Lewis & Dunbar Number of Pages: 946

Author: Lewis and Dunbar, Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis & Dunbar
Number of Pages: 946