USA > Iowa > Pottawattamie County > Biographical history of Pottawattamie County, Iowa > Part 84
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
N., Nancy, Sarah A., Mary, Charles and Addie. Mr. Young was a Scotch-Irish man of German descent, and lived to the age of seventy-two years. He was an industrions inan, and was respeeted by all who knew him.
John N. Young, the subject of this sketch, received a good education, attending a college at Washiington, Iowa, a Presbyterian institu- tion. At the age of eighteen, in 1862, when Lincoln made his first call for 300,000 men, young John bravely enlisted as a private in Company C, Nineteenth Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and served three years. He was in the battle of Prairie Grove, Ar- kansas, was on the Arkansas and Missouri frontier ten months, and was then at the siege and capture of Vicksburg. He was at the surrender of Port Hudson, battle of Sterling Farm, September 29, 1863, where he was taken prisoner, and confined at Tyler, Texas, and Shreveport, Louisiana, for nine months and thirteen days. He was then exchanged, July 22, 1864, and went to New Orleans, thence to Barancas, Florida, where he was at the siege of Spanish Fort and capture of Mobile; and here the war closed. He was honorably discharged July 10, 1865, and mustered out at Davenport, Iowa, August 1, 1865. He had two brothers in the war, James A. and Robert S., the former in the Seventh Iowa Infantry, and was present at the battle of Belmont, where he was taken prisoner and confined eleven months and ten days in Memphis, Tennessee; Corinth, Mis- sissippi; Mason, Georgia; Tuscaloosa, Ala- bama, and Belle Island.
After the war Mr. Young returned to Washington County, Iowa, and, like many of the men who had risked life and health for their country, followed the peaceful pursuits of agriculture. In the fall of 1867 he went to Cass County, Missouri, where he bought
land and lived seven and a half years. He then returned to Washington County, re- maining two years, and in 1878 settled ou his present farm of cighty aeres in Pottawat- tamie County, which he has since converted into a well-tilled farm. He has held the office of Assessor two years, Township Trus- tee three years, and a member of the School Board two years. He is a member of the G. A. R., William Layton Post, No. 358, and in his political views is a stanch Repub- lican. In the days when his conntry needed his services, he bravely went to the front and did gallant service in the cause of his coun- try, believing that a country worth living for was worth fighting for, and to such men we owe the preservation of the Union and our free institutions. As a citizen Mr. Young has been above reproach, and his name and record should be handed down to the most remote generations.
March 29, 1866, he was married to Sarah A. Farley, daughter of Sylvester and Candace (Barnett) Farley. The father was a pioneer settler in Washington County, Iowa, having come from Ohio in 1839, and is of Scotch- Irish descent. He was born in Ohio in 1811, and is still living, at the age of seventy- nine years. He was the father of thirteen children, seven of whom are now living, name- ly: Nancy, John, Harvey, Noah, Sarah M., William and Andrew. Mr. and Mrs. Young are the parents of four children: Jeanette, Minnie A., Edward B. and Orrin R.
OHN B. JOHANNSEN, of Walnut, is one of the leading business men of that thriving town. He was born in the Province of Schleswig on a farm. His father, Paul Johannsen, owned his farin, was in comfortable eireninstances, married Cath-
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OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY.
erina Brodersen, and had four children, namely: Hans C., Jens C., August and John B. Mr. Johannsen died at the comparatively early age of sixty years. He belonged to the Lutheran Church, and was a man who lived an upright life and brought up his son in the same way. John B. Johannsen, our subject, was born December 28, 1847, received a good common-school education, and learned the mercantile businesss in Germany. He was a soldier in the regular German army at the age of twenty-one, and was in the war be- tween France and Gerinany, being at the battle of Sedan and siege of Paris. He was at this great siege for four months, and was exposed all this time to active service. He served three years and ten months, thirteen months of this time being spent in France. In 1871, at the age of twenty-five years, he came to America, landing at New York, September 5. Coming to Lyons, Iowa, he became clerk in a store, and then in a simi- lar capacity at Lowden, Cedar County, until 1873. During the fall of this year he came to Walnut and engaged in the mercantile business, being the fourth merchant in this town. In 1882 he went into the loan and insurance business, and has been uniformly prosperous.
In 1872 he married Miss Anna C. Carst- ensen, danghter of Carsten Carstensen, who came from Germany. He was the father of four children: P. C., I. A., Carl (who died at the age of twenty-one), and Anna C. Mr. Carstensen died in Walnut, at the age of sixty- six years. Mr. and Mrs. Johannsen are the parents of seven, children, viz .: Palmrick, Carrie, Clara, John B., Charlie and Arthur. Both Mr. and Mrs. Johannsen are Lutherans in religious belief. Socially Mr. Johannsen is an Odd Fellow, has held the office of Noble Grand, and has been for many years Past Grand. IIe is also a 'United Workman.
Politically he is a stanch Democrat. Mr. Johannsen is respected by his fellow citizens, and has held the office of Councilman since the town was incorporated, and the office of Justice of the Peace for many years. He is a man of stanch business integrity and ranks among the first men of the county. He is a self-made man, and is the architect of his own future. His reputation for sterling integrity is above reproach.
DOLPH LEBECK is a member of the firm of Lebeck Brothers, dealers in dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, etc., at Walnut. They are among the leading merchants of this thriving town.
Adolphı Lebeck's father, S. L. J. Lebeck, a school-teacher by profession, was educated at Tondern Schleswig, and was a teacher in Albersdorf, Germany, from 1842 to 1884, or a period of over forty years in one place, and previously in different places from early man- hood. He married Hanna Ketelsen, and they had ten children: James, Alfred, Carl L., Line. Christina, Hanne, Adolph, Male, Wil- helm, Berthold. Mr. Lebeck has now retired from active life. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, and has reached the great age of eighty-one years, and is still living in Albersdorf, enjoying the respect of the people, many of whom he taught as children in the schools.
Adolph, his son and the subject of this sketch, was born in Albersdorf, Holstein, Germany, September 27, 1855, received an excellent education and learned the mercan- tile business in early life. In 1872, at the age of seventeen, he came to America, and directly to Lyons, Iowa, where his brother, Carl L., was a clerk in a store. He then went to Monmouth, Illinois, entering the
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cigar business, but, the work not agreeing with his health, he returned to Lyons, Iowa, and engaged as clerk in a general merchan- dise store, remained there for a little over two years, and then went to Omaha and en- gaged in the grocery business. In 1874 his brother Carl started in business in Walnut, and in 1878 Adolph returned to Germany on a visit and remained one year, then returned to America and went into company with his brother, under the firm name of Lebeck Brothers, buying ont Lodge Brothers. Since this time the firm has been attending to busi- ness, driving a prosperous trade, and stand to-day among the leading business men of this part of the county.
In 1880 Mr. Lebeck married Miss Bertha Siebke, who was born at Davenport, Iowa, her parents coming from Germany in 1859. Mr. and Mrs. Lebeck have three children: Hanne, Theodor and Malitta. Mr. Lebeck in national affairs is a Democrat, but has no time to devote to politics. The firm has been prosperous in business, and Mr. Lebeck is a man who is self-made, and, coming to Amer- iea without knowledge of the English lan- guge, he has by his own merits succeeded in life and deserves great eredit for his manly and honorable course. For business integ- rity the firm stands high among the citizens and the merchants of the county, and their credit has never been impeached.
SAAC POWELL, of Hancock, is one of the substantial farmers of Valley Town- ship, from an old American family of English descent. His great-grandfather was Morgan Powell, who came from England at a period long antedating the war of the Revolution, and was one of the old settlers of Saratoga County, New York. Jonathan
Powell, son of the above and grandfather of onr subject, was a soldier in the Revolution- ary war. The calf of his leg was shot off and he was lame the remainder of his life. He married Sarah Burvee, of New York State, and they were the parents of six children: Jonathan, Richard, William, Sarah, Jane and Eveline. Mr. Powell was a farmer in Oswego County, and lived to the great age of eighty-four years, dying in that county. He was a man of integrity and industry, and one of the patriots who were the founders of liberty in their country. Peter Powell, son of the above and father of our subject, was born in Saratoga County, New York, learned the shoemaker's trade and bought a farm in Oswego County, New York. He married in Saratoga County, Miss Sally Weldon. To Mr. and Mrs. Powell were born nine chil- dren: Jonathan, Richard. Peter, Weldon, Isaac H., Mortimer, Betsy, Eveline and Esther. Mr. Powell was a Lieutenant in the war of 1812, was in the battle of Sackett's Harbor, and his widow drew a pension after his deatlı. Mr. Powell was a prosperous farmer, a member of the Universalist Church, respected in his eounty, was County Com- missioner in Oswego County, New York, for some years, and held the usual township offices. In 1844 he moved to Boone County, Illinois, and was one of the pioneers of that county. He settled on a farm, where he died at the age of seventy-eight years. He was a prosperous farmer and law-abiding citizen, and reared his family to habits of industry and good moral habits. IIe had two sons in the great civil war, Mortimer and Jonathan. Mortimer was in Company B, Ninety-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, all through the war and in many battles and two charges at Vicksburg. He was captured at Guntown, seventy-five miles north of Memphis, and confined in Cahaba prison, Alabama, for ten
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OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY.
months, when he was exchanged, after suffer- fering great hardships. When captured he weighed 180 pounds; when returned, only ninety-six pounds. Jonathan was doing busi- ness in New Orleans when the war broke ont and was forced into the Rebel army. There are two families who have had members in all the wars from the Revolution down.
Isaae H. Powell, our subjeet, was born December 23, 1832, in Oswego County, New York, and learned farming in early life. He was a boy of twelve years when he came with his father to Illinois, and married, in Boone County, Illinois, Sarah Walker, daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Smith) Walker. Mr. Walker was an old settler in Boone County, from Chenango Connty, New York, and of an old American family. He came to Boone Connty in 1840, being one of the active pio- neers there. He is yet living on his farm, at the age of eighty-two years. Ile had seven children: Hannah, Cornelia Sarah, Phoebe, Ransome, Edgar, Nimrod and Frank. Mr. and Mrs. Powell have six children: Lindon, Livingston, Frank, Emma, Betsy and Or- selia. After marriage Mr. Powell settled down upon a farm in Boone County, Illi- nois, and all his children were born there, except the youngest son. In 1871 he came to Pottawattamie County, Iowa, and settled upon his present place, then consisting of forty aeres of wild land, and which, by thrift and energy, he has converted into a fine and fruitful farm. To this he has added until he now owns 321 aeres of fine land.
Mr. Powell has been respeeted by his fel- low-citizens, and taken an active interest in the canse of education, and has been School Director, Constable and Road Supervisor. He is one of our substantial pioneer citizens, who has helped to make his town and county what is now one of the best in the State. He stands deservedly high for his integrity of
character and as a self-made man, and by hard labor made his property. His word may well be said to be as good as his bond. He has four children married, and ten grandehildren. The entire family merit the respect of all who kno v them for their sterling worth. The daughter, Emma, married J. C. Sears, a farmer in Valley Township, anl they have six children: Horace, Harry, Arthur, Flora, Orselia and Beryl. Bettie married B. T. Stephenson, a farmer in Valley Township, and they have three children: William, Kit- tie, and Cornelia; Livingston, who is a farmer in Valley Township, married Addie Frazier, and they have one child, Frances. Orselia married Henry Seward, also a farmer of Valley Township.
HRISTIAN STRAUB, a contractor, builder and brick manufacturer of Council Bluffs, was born in Heiden- heim, Würtemberg, Germany, February 3, 1847, the son of Carl and Emma (Koeh) Stranb, both natives of Würtemberg. The father was a wagon manufacturer by trade, and both he and his wife died in their native country. They were members of the Lutheran Church, and were the parents of six children: George, who resides in Germany ; Jacob, also of Germany; Mary, wife of Fred Rig, and resides in Conneil Bluffs; Anna M., a resident of Germany; Dora, who lives in Illinois; and Christian, our subjeet.
The latter attended school and also worked at his father's trade nntil seventeen years of age, when he came to America, landing in New York. He then went direct to Aurora, Illinois, remained four or five months, and then came to Council Bluffs, Iowa, in the spring of 1867. He worked for the North- western Railroad Company a short time, and
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then learned the brick and stone mason's trade, which he has since followed. In 1872 he became a contractor and builder, and in 1875 purchased the brick-yard of George Banm, and has been engaged in manufactur- ing brick since that time. Mr. Straub was one of the first stockholders of the Citizens' State Bank, and also of the Iowa Insurance Company.
He was united in marriage, in Council Bluff's, April 12, 1873, to Arnetta Feifer, a native of Bavaria, Germany. Mr. Straub was elected Councilman from the Third ward in 1885-'86, and is also a member of Humboldt Lodge, No. 75, I. O. O. F. He ranks among our most reliable citizens, and by honesty, frugality and diligence has accumulated a comfortable fortune.
XCHANGE BANK, Walnut, Iowa, the only bank in this thriving town, was established in 1875, by E. R. and C. R. Hinkley as a private banking establishment, and it was purchased by the present owner, J. H. Henry, November 1, 1880, it then having a capital of $35,000 and doing a gen- eral banking business. The bank now has a capital and surplus of over $200,000, which is the largest in this county, and one of the largest in Western Iowa.
The Exchange Bank has always been a very conservative institution, and since it has been owned by Mr. Henry, the charge to the loss account has been so small as not to be worth mentioning. The business men of Walnut and surrounding farmers may well feel confidence in this stable institution. This bank is equipped with the best modern appliances against fire and burglars, having one of Hall's safes and time-locks on a bur- glar-proof chest, and further secured by a fire-
proof vault. This makes it one of the safest institutions in the county.
James H. Henry, president of this insti- tution, was born at Sturgis, Michigan, in 1845. He received a good education, and was one of those men who, when the great civil war broke ont, did not shrink from the call of duty, but enlisted and served through all that great struggle, which will make his name remembered by his descendants for generations to come. After the war Mr. Henry engaged in the lumber trade at Blairs- town, lowa, and did a successful business.
He married, in 1871, Miss Emma Edson, and they are the parents of four children: William, Angelina (deceased February 13, 1887, at the age of nine years and eleven months), Bessie and Joe E.
In 1875 Mr. Henry came to Walnnt and engaged in the grain and lumber trade and did a good business until 1875, when he went to Chicago and built a large elevator and carried on extensive grain operations, in connection with his brother William C., un- der the firm name of Henry Brothers. In November, 1880, he sold out this business and came to Walnnt, and bought the Ex- change Bank of Walnut, the history of which is given above.
January 1, 1888, Mr. Henry, with the view of educating his children and for the benefit of the climate, went to California and settled at San Jose, where he rested from his labors for two years. Turning there his attention to public improvements, he purchased the old horse-car line and franchise on the famous Alameda, and established an electric railway system, the first in the State of California, which is a complete success. During the past winter he bought the principal street railway in the city of Sacramento, and changed the system from mule propulsion to electric, being the second successful electric
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OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY.
read in the Golden State. Mr. Henry is an ahle financier, a man of wide business ex- periences, perfect integrity and broad views. He is a man who commands the respect of all who know him and is an American citi- zen whose word is valued as highly as his bond. His reputation as an honorable busi- ness man is unsullied and extends as far as mercantile records are used.
Socially he is a Mason, being a member of San Jose Lodge, No. 10. His liberality of sentiment is shown by the fact that he has always been in favor of public liberty, and a stanch supporter of that great party whose watchword is the greatest liberty to the greatest number, namely, a Democrat. He is a member of the G. A. R. IIe is a man of wealth, his property being estimated at about $500,000. Ile is an extensive owner of real estate, owning over 5,000 acres of fine farming land near Walnut, which is valned at $200,000, while his bank is worth $200,000, and his electric railroads more than $100,000 more, besides which he owns other property and a fine residence in San Jose, California.
John P. Burke, whose connection with this bank dates from November 1, 1880, the time that Mr. Henry purchased it, was born at Durant, Cedar County, lowa, March 17, 1862. His father, P. E. Burke, was born in Tipperary County, Ireland. In 1846, at an early age, he sailed for America and settled at Staten Island, New York, where he mar- ried Miss Mary Murphy, and soon after they removed to Pottsville, Pennsylvania. They were the parents of eight children, namely: William F., James T., Mary, John P., Charles M., Edward D., Lizzie M. and Katie. (James T., Mary and Katie are now deceased.) In 1856 P. E. Burke, with his family, moved to Iowa, and settled at Durant, where he lived until 1876, when he moved to Shelby County, !
Iowa, bought a large farm, and remained there until 1884. Ile then sold his personal property, rented his farm, came to Walnut, purchased a fine residence, and is now re- tired from active pursuits, taking the world easy.
When Mr. Henry purchased the bank in November, 1880, he was very fortunate in securing the services of John P. Burke as bookkeeper. Mr. Burke was then teaching school in Pottawattamie County, and though but eighteen years of age his ability was such that in one year he was made cashier of this bank. Ile became so well informed in business generally that in Jannary, 1888, when Mr. Henry saw fit to remove with his family to California, he left Mr. Bnrke in charge of all his affairs, giving him sole charge and management of over 5,000 acres of improved land adjoining Walnut. Mr. Burke has conducted all this business in a manner highly satisfactory to all persons in- terested, and has shown his ability to handle financial matters to such a degree that Mr. Henry's confidence in him is well deserved. For over ten years Mr. Burke has been in active business here, and has most assuredly won the high opinion of the patrons of the bank for his unassuming integrity, accommo- dating disposition, genial and pleasant man- ners and liberal methods of dealing. He has been Treasurer of the city for over four years, and treasurer of the independent school district over eight years. Mr. Burke is now bnt twenty-eight years of age, has made an early success in life, and has had a practical experience which should make his fnture one of continued prosperity.
February 8, 1887, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Luln G. Kepford, daughter of David Kepford and Anna (Colwell) Kep- ford, of Havana, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Burke are the parents of one child, a dangh-
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
ter, named Grace L., who was born August 9, 1888.
Ed D. Burke, assistant cashier and book- keeper of the above bank, was born at Durant, Iowa, November 25, 1864. He has - been with the bank for over three years, is a young man of energy and integrity.
HIOMAS KEAST, of section 30, Mace- donia Township, was born in Cornwall, England, August 9, 1844, the son of Samnel and Elizabeth (Talling) Keast, natives of the some place. They reared three ehil- dren, of whom Thomas was the second son. The father received an injury by draining while ditehing in England. He was an in- valid about one year and then died, when Thomas was but four or five years of age. The mother now lives in Cornwall, England, Thomas was reared in England, and his first work was at farming, and later he engaged in mining. He was about twenty-one years of age when he was married to Eliza Grace Oliver, March 3, 1865, who was born in Cornwall, England; she was the daughter of William and Elizabeth (Mathews) Oliver. Some four years later he came to America, sailing from Liverpool, England, to New York, and from there he went to Rockford, Winnebago County, Illinois. He lived there one year, and then went on a farin at New Willford, where he lived four years. He then removed to Ogle County, Illinois, near Linnville, on a farm, eleven and a half miles from Rosehill. He lived there until 1877, when he came to Pottawattamie County, and in 1876 purchased eighty acres of land from J. D. Edmundson, of Council Bluffs. Here he has since resided, and he now has an im- proved farm of 310 acres, which is one of the best in Pottawattamie County. He has
a mill building, 16 x 40, with an addition of 12 x 20, a feed-mill and two wind-mills, which supply the motive power for grinding the feed. He has a grove of catalpas, forest and other trees. His farm is well watered by tiling and pipes, and he is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. His land lies in three different sections; his residence and eighty acres are in section 30, 150 acres are in section 31, and eighty acres are in section 36, Silver Creek Township.
Mr. and Mrs. Keast have seven children, viz .: Emma, wife of D. D. Clark, of Clay, Nebraska; Samuel, of the same place; Will- iam, John, Elizabeth, Frank and Charley. Politically Mr. Keast is a Republican.
EORGE W. IIICKS, of Hancock, is one of our soldier farmers who served his country in the great civil war, and helped to preserve the stars and stripes un- sullied. After the war he engaged in farm- ing. William Hicks, the grandfather of George, was born in England, and emigrated to North Carolina at an early day. He is supposed to have married in that State. He was the father of three sons and two daugh- ters: Jesse, Sanl, John, Dorothy and Made- line. He lived to a great age. He was a substantial farmer and a large landowner, and left a large estate in Fleming County, Kentucky, whither he had moved from North Carolina. His son Sanl, the father of George W .. was born in North Carolina, and was but a small boy when his father moved to Ken- tucky. He early learned to work on the farm, and followed that business all his life. IIe married, in Fleming County, Elizabeth McDongal, of Scotch parentage. Iler father came to Fleming County, Kentucky, when she was a child, and followed farming there
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OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY.
He was the father of four children: Solomon, William, Hannah and Elizabeth. Mr. Hicks, in 1844, moved with his family to Menard County, Illinois, and settled on a farm as a pioneer there. Mr. and Mrs. Hicks were members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and Mr. Hicks was an elder for some years, taking an active interest in his church. He died at the age of sixty years, in Menard County, Illinois.
His son, George W. Hicks, the subject of this sketch, was born in Fleming County, Kentucky, in 1832, learned farming when yonng, and when thirteen years of age moved with his father to Illinois. He married Mary E. Trumbo, of Menard County, in Springfield, Illinois, in 1857, and settled on a farm in that county. In 1859 he moved to Grundy County, Missouri, and when the war broke ont he returned to Illinois and enlisted, August 21, 1862, in Company K, One Hundred and Fourteenth Illinois Volun- teer Infantry, as a private, and was promoted to First Sergeant. He was at the battles at Jackson, Champion Hills, Black River, and the siege of Vieksburg, at the second battle at Jackson, and at Guntown, all in Missis- sippi. At the last named point he was wounded in the left shoulder, and was in the hospital at Memphis, Tennessee, a short time, and sent from there to Camp Butler, Illinois, and was honorably discharged Octo- ber 29, 1864, on account of disability from wounds received in battle. He had served two years and three months. He returned to Menard County, Illinois, and resumed farming, and lived there until 1874, and then settled in Madison County, Iowa, where he lived twelve years. In 1886 he moved to Pottawattamie County, and settled in Valley Township on a farm. Mr. and Mrs. Hicks have five children: Mary E, George H., William T., Samnel M. and Charles E., all
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