Biographical history of Shelby and Audubon counties, Iowa. Containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States from Washington to Harrison, with accompanying biographies of each; portraits and biographies of the governors of the state; engravings of prominent citizens in Shelby and Audubon counties, with personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families. A concise history of the counties, and the cities and townships, Part 46

Author: W.S. Dunbar and Co.. pbl
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago, W.S. Dunbar & co.
Number of Pages: 852

USA > Iowa > Shelby County > Biographical history of Shelby and Audubon counties, Iowa. Containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States from Washington to Harrison, with accompanying biographies of each; portraits and biographies of the governors of the state; engravings of prominent citizens in Shelby and Audubon counties, with personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families. A concise history of the counties, and the cities and townships > Part 46
USA > Iowa > Audubon County > Biographical history of Shelby and Audubon counties, Iowa. Containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States from Washington to Harrison, with accompanying biographies of each; portraits and biographies of the governors of the state; engravings of prominent citizens in Shelby and Audubon counties, with personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families. A concise history of the counties, and the cities and townships > Part 46

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ATHIER PETER BROMMENSCHIEN- KEL, Pastor of St. Boniface Catholic Church at Westphalia, Shelby County, lowa, is a native of Rhine District, in Prus- sia. He was born September 27, 1846. His parents were Nicholas and Catharine Brom- menschenkel, also natives of Prussia. The father was a farmer in his native land and in 1850 emigrated to America, first settling in Hennepin, Putnam County, Illinois, where he remained with his family two years; he

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then moved to Chicago. After spending three months there he moved to Dubuque, Iowa, covering the distance through the then wild and unsettled country in a prairie schooner- covered wagon, landing in Dubuque some time in 1853, where the parents still live. After coming to this country, the father of our subject learned the wagon-maker's trade, following the same for many years. Peter was only four years of age when he came with his parents to America, so his education has been obtained in this country. IIe is both a German and English scholar of marked intelligence; his first school days were spent at Dubuque, lowa, in the school of the Ger- man Holy Trinity Church; he also attended the English Cathedral school of that city two and a half years. These schools fitted him to advance rapidly in the course of study, which was to guide him in his eventful Chris- tian life-work. Ile then entered St. Francis Seminary, situated a few miles from the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in the autumn of 1862, graduating from that institution in June, 1869. In August of the same year he was ordained priest by the hand of Bishop Hennessy, of Dubnque, Iowa. In October of the year 1869 he was appointed to take the place of Father Emonds at lowa City, Iowa, having charge of St. Mary's Church, the latter having gone to Europe on a vaca- tion. He next went to Council Bluffs, Iowa, as the assistant pastor in that city, remaining there three months. He then served the church at Marshalltown, Iowa, from July, 1870, until November, 1875, and was then sent to Richmond, Washington County, Iowa, where he labored until October, 1881; from - this place he went to Riverside in the same county, serving faithfully until 1886, when he became pastor of his present church at West- phalia, Iowa. Here he succeeded Father Weber. During his labors at Marshalltown,

Iowa, he built a parsonage, and had charge of the Catholic congregation at State Center, where he erected a church edifice; he also looked after the best interests of the Catholics at the Dunn's settlement in the neighborhood, as well as at Blairstown, Benton County, Iowa, and at Toledo, Tamna County. While serving the church in Washington County he built a church near Riverside, and a school at Richmond. Since Father Brommenschenkel has been at Westphalia he has worked ardently and manfully for the cause he es- poused in early life-that of promulgating the faith and teachings of the Roman Catho- lic church. He has charge of a congregation at Harlan, Iowa, where he has been instru- mental in building a church. Father Brom- menschenkel, while strictly adhering to the teachings of his church, deals with men as he finds them, treating all with consideration. He never allows personal likes and dislikes to turn him from the path of duty, and by reason of this is a successful organizer and leader of his people, sharing the good will of all classes in and out of his church.

ATIIANIEL BOOTH, dealer in agri- cultural implements, Ilarlan, has been

22 deeply interested in the welfare of Shelby County since his residence here, which began in 1871. He is a native of England, born in London, September 21, 1837. He is a son of John and Elizabeth (Davis) Booth, both natives of England, who emigrated to America in 1849, and settled in St. Louis, Missouri; here Mr. Booth died July 14, 1849. In the spring of 1850 the father, with two children, of whom our subject is the younger, came west to Kainsville, now Council Bluffs, where he remained two years, and then went to Salt Lake City; here he staid until the

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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY.

spring of 1860 engaged in farming. Nathan, iel Booth, the subject of this sketch, was married in Salt Lake City to Miss Sarah M. Robbins, a native of England, and a danghter of Henry P. Robbins, who came to this coun- try when Mrs. Booth was a child. Mr. and Mrs. Booth are the parents of three children -William Nathaniel, John Henry and Jo- seph Osgood. In 1860 Mr. Booth took his family to California, where he engaged with the firm of Simpson & Gray in the lumber business at Stockton, San Joaquin County. Ilis wife died in 1868, and in 1871 he eame with his boys to Shelby County. He pur- chased 137 acres of improved land in llarlan Township, where he resided until the spring of 1881, when he came to Ilarlan, and engaged in business with E. J. Tro- bridge, dealing in agrienltural implements. This firm continued six months, when Mr. Booth bonght Mr. Trobridge's interest and has since done an extensive business, being the leading dealer in agrientural implements in the county. Mr. Booth was again married March 3, 1869, to Miss Mary Ann Phillips, a native of Upper California, born July 27, 1850, and a daughter of David J. Phillips, who was a native of Wales, and who came to this country about 1848. By this union five children were born-Charles D., David J .. Mary E., Charlotte E. and Nathaniel P. Mr. Booth served as sub-director for several terms, and as distriet treasurer of Harlan Township for several years. Ile was a member of the city council for one year, and served as township trustee for ten years. Ile is a inember of the I. O. O. F., Harlan Lodge, No. 257; Mount Sinai Encampment, No. 106. He has passed through all the chairs of the lodge. He was representative to the grand lodge for two years and was deputy grand master for one year. He is also a member of the A. F. & A. M., Parian Lodge,

No. 321; and Olivet Chapter, No. 107. Mr. and Mrs. Booth are members of the Latter Day Saints church. Politically Mr. Booth affiliates with the Republican party. Mr. Booth owns, besides his extensive business, 165 aeres and other lands in different localities.

P. SILLIMAN, Deputy Clerk of the District Court of Shelby County, has ° been a resident of the county sinee

1880. He was born in Pittsburg, Pennsyl- vania, August 20, 1843. IIe is the son of John and Naney (Stevenson) Silliman, both natives of Pennsylvania. For eight years he was superintendent of the Allegheny County poor farm. From Allegheny County, Penn- sylvania, the family removed to Columbiana County, Ohio. S. P. was the oldest of four children, and received his education at Pitts- burg, Pennsylvania. At the age of sixteen he accepted a position as elerk in his father's mercantile establishment in New Waterford, Columbiana County, Ohio, where he remained for a number of years. In 1867 he accepted a position in Meiggs County, Ohio, where he had charge of a mill for three years. At the end of that time he removed to Benton County, Iowa, where he acted as cashier of the Benton County Bank for eight years. In ISSO he removed to Shelby, lowa, where he was bookkeeper in the mercantile house of W. F. Cleveland for four years. By his long experience and thorough knowledge of the intricacies of bookkeeping he is con- sidered one of the most expert accountants in western lowa, and has been employed in that capacity in the several county offices and prominent business houses of Harlan. Jan- nary 1, 1889, he accepted the appointment of deputy elerk ofcourts of Shelby County under Omar P. Wyland. Mr. Silliman is a thor-

Joshua Brindley

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oughly acenrate business man, and has filled all the different positions mentioned in this notice with eredit to himself and to the best interests of his employers. He is well in- forined on general topies, and has made many friends in Shelby County. He is a member of the Masonie order, and a member of the Iowa Legion of Honor of Shelby, No. 10. Mr. Silliman was married at Tampico, Illi- nois, September 21, 1875, to Miss Sue Groff, a native of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where she was reared and educated. They have one son-Robert G., born May 19, 1877. Mr. Silliman's father died in Blainstown, Iowa, in 1879. His mother still lives, and resides in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, at the age of sixty-eight years.

BRINDLEY, a member of the present board of supervisors, is one of the promi- nent and well-known citizens of Mon- roe Township. He was born in La Fayette County, Wisconsin, February 14, 1848, and is a son of Joshua and Sarah (Edge) Brind- ley. The parents were natives of Stafford- shire, England, and were married in their native country. They emigrated to America in 1844, and settled at New Diggings, Wis- consin. In 1848 they removed to Grant County, Wisconsin, where the father lived the remainder of his days. The mother still lives on the old home farm. The youth of our subjeet was passed in very much the same fashion as that of other farmers' sons. He was married September 19, 1869, to Miss Isabelle Catherine Clark, of Grant County, Wisconsin; she is the daughter of John M. Clark, a prominent citizen of Monroe Town- ship. In 1872 Mr. Brindley came to the township and settled on the land which he now owns. He has 240 acres of well-im-

proved land, a comfortable house, barn and erib. He has a good supply of agricultural implements, and a windmill. There is a fine spring on the place that will supply water to 1,500 cattle. The farm is well stocked with eattle and horses. Mr. Brindley is in part- nership with Mr. A. Prichard in the business of importing draft horses. As fine specimens of these horses as can be found in Shelby County are on Mr. Brindley's place. J. Brindley is the leading pioneer thresher of Shelby County ; he owns one steam thresher and is interested in four others. He has probably threshed more grain in this county than any other man. IIe is a staunch Re- publican and is one of the leaders of his party. He was elected county supervisor in the fall of 1888, and his good judgment is well displayed in this office, much to the sat- isfaction of the public. IIe and his wife are the parents of five children-Martha Jane, the wife of Sam Fleming; Thomas J., John W., Robert Allen and Arminta Belle.

K. RILEY, President of the Omaha Abstract Company, was for many years prominently identified with the interests of Harlan and Shelby County. He was born in Schoharie County, New York, August 10, 1852, and is a son of A. B. and Lois (Kellog) Riley, natives of New York, and of Puritan ancestry. His earlier yonth was spent in attending school and assisting in his father's woolen mills. At the age of sixteen he entered the preparatory school at Fort Edward, New York, and was graduated from that institution with honor in 1872. He then entered Princeton College, and was graduated in the class of 1876. After leaving college he went to Sehoharie, New York, and read law in the office of Krum & Grant

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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY.

during the winter of 1876-'77. In the spring of 1877 he came to Iowa and accepted a . position as professor of mathematies in Jef- ferson Academy, at Jefferson, lowa. He re- mained there one term, and read law in his leisure hours in the office of Russell & Tolli- ver. He was admitted to the bar in the winter of 1878. After making a tour of southwestern Iowa on horseback, he decided to locate in Harlan. He purchased a set of Shelby County abstraet books of C. M. Rob- ins, and opened a general law, loan and ab- stract office. He continued this business until the spring of 1887, when he sold out to Hertert Brothers. During his residence in Harlan he was one of the originators and owners of The Hub, which afterward consoli- dated with the Harlan Herald, now known as the Ilarlan Republican. He was also one of the incorporators and stockholders and attorney for the Shelby County Bank. After disposing of his business interests in Harlan, Mr. Riley removed to Omaha and engaged in his present business. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Harlan Lodge. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party. Ile was married Angust 27, 1878, to Miss Beta M. Hard, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of A. G. Hard, a resident of Mis- souri Valley. Mr. and Mrs. Riley are the parents of three children-Allen K., Jr., Albert G. and Robert II. Both Mr. Riley and wife are members of the Congregational church.

OHEN LANGENFELD, one of the lead- ing business men of Earling, Shelby County, Iowa, was born in Prussia, May 9, 1863. He is a son of Chris and Johannan (Eckes) Langenfeld, who emigrated to America in the year 1869. They settled in Fond du

Lae County, Wisconsin, and here our subjeet was reared to farm life, and obtained his edu- cation in the common schools. In 1885 he came to Lincoln Township, Shelby County, and here the parents still reside. In 1888 John Langenfeld went to Earling and entered the employ of John Lorge, as elerk in his ag- rieultural implement and farm machinery store. He remained here until his brother- in-law, F. W. Loehr, and he purchased the stoek of Mr. Lorge, and they are still in the business. Mr. Langenfeld is an energetic, ambitious business man, and although a young man, has already won an enviable position in business circles in the county. He is a stannch supporter of the Democratie party. Ile was married November 13, 1888, to Miss Mary Weiland, daughter of J. B. and Mary (Nepper) Weiland; she was born in Winneshiek County, Iowa, October 6, 1868. Mr. and Mrs. Lang- enfeld are worthy members of the Roman Catholic church.

SCAR NEFF, of Waluut, Iowa, was for many years one of the well-known and active farmers of Monroe Town- ship. His residence there began in 1875, and continued until 1884, when he removed to Walnut, Iowa, where he has sinee resided. Hle was born in Buffalo, New York, in which place he grew to manhood. He received a fair education in the common schools. Ile was married in his native city, to Miss Har- riet Buss, a daughter of Daniel and Charlotte Buss. Daniel Buss was a native of York- shire, England. Some time after his mar- riage Mr. Neff removed to La Fayette County, Wisconsin, and made that his home until 1875, when he came to Shelby County. lle improved 160 acres of land where Charles Neff now resides, and 160 aeres east of the

yours Truly H. C. Campbell.

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home farm, besides other lands. He was an active, industrious man, and was snecessful in his efforts. Mr. and Mrs. Neff reared six children-Nelson, Charles W. and William (twins), Milliard, Oscar and Hattie (twins). In politics Mr. Neff is Republican. IIe is a member of the Masonic order and of the I. O.O. F. Charles W. Neff is one of the active and successful farmers of Monroe Township. Ile was born in La Fayette County, Wisconsin, November 21, 1864, and is a son of Oscar and Harriet (Buss) Neff. He was eleven years of age when his parents removed to Shelby County and settled in Monroe Town- ship. There he passed his youth, occupying his time with the duties assigned a farmer's son and attending the common schools. He spent one year in Montgomery County, Iowa, and one year at different points in the south- west. Mr. Neff was married July 3, 1885, to Miss Sarah Emneline Johnson, a danghter of William Johnson, a prominent citizen of the township. Two children have been born of this marriage-Mamie and Walter. Mr. Neff affiliates with the Democratic party. Ile resides on the home farm and is engaged in general farming and stoek-raising, making a specialty of draft horses. Ile is frank and genial in his disposition, and has many friends in the township.

C. CAMPBELL, the editor and pro- prietor of the Harlan Tribune, was born September 28, 1855, in Bruns- wick, Australia; this town now forms a part of the city of Melbourne. On April 17, 1859, his parents sailed from the port of Melbourne on the ship Indian Queen, of the English Black Ball Line, in command of Captain Brewer, bound for Liverpool, England. It was the Captain's first ocean voyage, and being igno-

rant of the course. he made a run of twenty- four hours too far sonth while rounding Cape Horn. At two o'clock A. M., June 21, the vessel strnek an iceberg, which carried away all the masts and rigging, whereupon the captain, most of the erew, and all the officers excepting the third inate, took to the boats, supposing the vessel to be in a sinking con- dition. All the boats were swamped and their crews drowned within half an hour after leav- ing the ship. The carpenter reported after a thorough examination of the vessel, that her hull was uninjured. When daylight came it was found that the ship had drifted away from the iceberg; temporary masts were erected, and in this condition, under the direction of a young man who had studied navigation, and by the aid of all on board, the vessel was steered for Valparaiso, South America, reach- ing that port in safety six weeks after the wreek. To the young man who dirceted the course of the vessel the passengers are indebted for their lives, as he was the only person on board who had any knowledge of the science of navigation. The ship's owners had the passengers transferred to Panama and put under the care of the British Consul. A stay of six months was made there, during which time Callao, Lima and other towns along the coast were visited. In January of the follow- ing year the family arrived in England, ten months having passed from the beginning of the voyage. In London a stay of one year was inade, after which the family removed to Edinburgh, Scotland; they resided in that city and vicinity for the following ten years, dur- ing which time the subject of this biography received a common-school education. In May, 1871, Mr. Campbell emigrated to America with his parents and settled in Fremont County, Iowa. The year 1872 saw him employed as an apprentice in the office of the Sidney Union, Fremont County; this paper

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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY.

was edited by Robert Simons, and Mr. Camp- bell remained in his service for two years, when he obtained a position in the Shenan- doal Reporter. In 1876 he began work in the Atlantic Telegraph office; this journal was edited by Hon. Lafayette Young, and Mr. Campbell assisted in getting out the first num- ber of the Daily Telegraph. In the follow- ing January he began work for E. Il. Kimball on the Exira Defender, published in Audubon County. In the following June he moved with Mr. Kimball to Guthrie Center, where the Guthrian was established. Later he con- dneted the Guthrian for six months in com- pany with William Harris, under the firmn name of Harris & Campbell. In July, 1878, Mr. Campbell was married at Guthrie Center, by the Rev. Delano, of the Baptist church, to Miss Emma F. Straight. IIis marriage has been blessed with three children-May, Harry and Bob. In January, 1879, he issued the first number of the Audubon Advocate, the first paper printed in the town of Audubon. In the spring of 1880 he located at Harlan, and became connected with the Herald, then con- ducted by George D. Ross. In January, 1885, he purchased the Tribune of J. D. Walker; this paper is still under his management and control, and continues to be the organ of the Democratic party in the county. In June, 1880, the Tribune, which had been an eight- column folio, was enlarged to nine columns, and its facilities added to by the purchase of a cylinder press, a feature which has added much to its appreciation in the town and county. In 1882 Mr. Campbell was elected recorder of the town, receiving a majority of 121 votes; he served in that capacity one year. Since his purchase of the property Mr. Camp- bell's experience as a practical printer and newspaper man has enabled him to put the paper in a thoroughly sound financial condi- tion and largely to add to its cirenlation and

influence, as well as to its mechanical facili- ties for doing all kinds of work connected with the business. His assiduous attention to editorial duties and zealous efforts in behalf of the party represented by the Tribune has won for him the confidence and esteem of his party associates, and he has been chosen as a delegate to all the local district and State conventions which have been held during his editorial management. Ilis aim has been to make the paper a trustworthy journal, free from scandal or sensational features, and his treatment of political opponents has been characterized by a straightforward opposition to their political views, and free from that style of disreputable personal warfare which is unworthy the real journalist. During his residence in Harlan he has been associated with the various social organizations which have sprung np, and has contributed to the best of his ability to their successful condnet. In his career as a newspaper man Mr. Camp. bell has been fortunate in making and retain- ing friends, and has made only those enemies that naturally spring up around the news- paper man ambitions to advance his political friends by zealous attachment to their cause. As a citizen he has not been found wanting in the influence of his pen, and the contribu- tion of his means to advance the interests of the town and county.

OHIN SCHILTZ, a citizen of Lincoln Township, Shelby County, was born in Luxemburg, Germany, November 3, 1827. He is a son of Frederick and Anna Mary (Wier) Schiltz. Ile attended school until he was fourteen years of age and then assisted his father on his farm and in the lime kiln. In 1852 he embarked on a sailing vessel at Havre, France, and arrived at Castle Garden,

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New York, after a voyage of forty-three days. He went to Rochester, New York, and worked by the day for cighteen months; after a short residence in different places in New York he removed to Freeport, New York, where he worked in the blacksmith and machine shops of the railroad company. He saved his money and bought a small house and lot which he sold and then bought forty acres of land in Stephenson County, Illinois. He then sold that and bought 160 acres in Carroll County, Illinois, where he lived until he came to Shelby County, Iowa. His farm contains 220 acres, and he has a good house, a barn, cribs, a grove and an orchard. The place is under good cultivation, and is one of the best in the township. Mr. Schiltz is engaged in general farming. He was married at Free- port, New York, in 1856, to Miss Mary Mert a native of Bavaria, Germany, and a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Sheilberger) Mert; she came from Germany in 1853. Mr. and Mrs. Schiltz are the parents of seven children- Michacl, Terza, Anna Hare, John, Mary, Henry and Lena. The children have a good German and English education, and are well informed on general topics. Politically Mr. Schiltz is a Democrat. The family are mem- bers of the Roman Catholic church. They are among the first families of the township.

ARAH ROUNDY is the daughter of William and Polly (Hedrick) Van Aus- dall, natives of Virginia. Mr. Van- Ausdall was born February 23, 1788, and died January 1, 1869, in Shelby County, Iowa. His wife was born in November, 1792, and died in November, 1846. They were married in Virginia, and in 1839 they came to Iowa and located in Lee County, where Mrs. Van Ausdall died. They were the par-

cents of twelve children, of whom seven sur- vive-Jane, wife of William Gaugh; Eliza- beth (deceased); Mary, wife of Thomas Wood- cock; Anna, wife of John Cachran; Malinda (deceased); Margaret Sims (deceased); Cor- nelius (deceased); Leanah, wife of Chauncey Williamson; Martha, wife of George Oman; Sarah Roundy, the subject of this notice; Su- sannah (deceased), and William H., residing in San Antonio, California. Mr. Van Aus- dall was reared a farmer and followed this oc- cupation successfully through life. He came to Shelby County in 1850, bringing his family with him, settling at Galland's Grove; there he spent the latter part of his life. IIe figured very prominently in the early politi- cal history of the county; he was the first judge of the county, and held some of the township offices. He was an elder in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (reorganized), and took an active interest in the upbuilding of that society. He united with the church in 1832, and clung fast to the faith until his death. He was a man who did whatever he could to pro- inote the welfare of the community. The last seventeen years of his life he spent with . his daughter, Mrs. Sarah Roundy. Mrs. Roundy was born in Lawrence County, Ohio, February 22, 1831, and came to Iowa with her parents when she was eight years old. She was married March 22, 1853, to Asahel Roundy, a native of Onondaga County, New York, who was born September 10, 1828. He came to Shelby County in 1850, and there lived the remainder of his days; he died June 6, 1879. His first venture in real estate was a claim of 160 acres in section 20, Grove Township; there he and his wife com- menced life together. They struggled throughı the early history of the county, fearlessly facing the hardships met with by all pioneers. They improved their land and increased their

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Author: W.S. Dunbar and Co.. pbl Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Chicago, W.S. Dunbar & co. Number of Pages: 852

Author: W.S. Dunbar and Co.. pbl
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago, W.S. Dunbar & co.
Number of Pages: 852