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 50
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 50
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OHIN POMEROY, editor and proprietor of the Shelby News, Shelby, Iowa, was born in the town of Concord, Franklin County, Pennsylvania, January 18, 1853.
He resided (with the exception of six years spent away from home in attending school and teaching) in the place of his birth until 1878, when he came to Shelby, Shelby County, Iowa. He spent two years as a student at Tuscarora Academy, Academia, Juniata County, Pennsylvania, and three years at Diekinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, from which institution he was graduated in the summer of 1876, with the degree of A. B. After his gradnation he had charge of the Concord, Pennsylvania, Iligh School, from October, 1877, to March, 1878. Pre- vions to this time, however, he had engaged in the profession of teaching. He had taught in Louisa County, Iowa, from September, 1872, until July, 1873, during a part of which time he had charge of the grammar department of the Morning Sun publie schools for one term. In the spring of 1880 Mr. Pomeroy purchased of Ll. L. Heath, the Shelby News, and since that date has been editor and proprietor of the paper. The News was founded by Mr. Heath in 1877, and is Republican in its principles. Mr. Pomeroy is unmarried.
ACOB WALTERS, bridge contractor, became a resident of Shelby County in 1878. Ile is a native of Pennsylvania, boru March 23, 1849. Ile is the oldest son of D. B. Walters, whose biography appears in this volume. When a child his parents removed to Illinois, and he was reared in Stevenson and Jo Daviess counties. In 1865 the family removed to łowa, living first in Marion and then in Jasper counties. In 1869 Jacob started out for himself, engaging with the Rock Island Railroad in the bridge- building department. He remained in the employ of this company until 1873. During
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this time he resided in Des Moines. After severing his connection with the railroad company, he contracted for bridges on his own responsibility for several years. In 1878 he came to Shelby County and settled on a farm in Fairview Township. The farm contained 120 acres of unimproved land, which he improved and made into a good farm. In connection with his farming pur- suits he followed his trade nntil 1882; he then moved to Harlan, but continned his in- terest in both occupations. Mr. Walters was married December 25, 1871, to Miss Lucinda Long, a daughter of Richard Long. She was a native of Greene County, Pennsylvania, and came to Iowa when a child. Mr. and Mrs. Walters are the parents of six children -Millie O., Fannie E., Harry F., Eva L. and Maggie C. Stella G. died at the age of nine years. Mrs. Walters and children are mein- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Walters has filled many local offices of trust and responsibility. He is a member of the K. P., Carthage Lodge, No. 65. He gives his political support to the Republican party. He does most of the city bridge-building, and also contracts for and builds barns. By his own industry and energy he has accumu- lated a good property.
C. McCUSKEY was born in Morgan County, Ohio, April 25, 1843, and is
O the son of Joseph and Prudence (Dodge) McCuskey, who were natives of West Virginia and Ohio respectively. The subject of this sketch was deprived of a mother's care at the age of three years, and at the age of seven he lost his father, so he early realized the responsibilities of life, as he was left alone and dependent upon his own resources. Until the age of fourteen years he resided in his 34
native county, and then went to Hocking County, Ohio, making that his home for three years; thence he removed to Perry County, Ohio, remaining there until the spring of 1878, with the exception of three years spent in the United States service, and three years spent in and about Des Moines, Iowa. Hc enlisted at the beginning of the late civil war, July, 1861, in Company G, Thirty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged November 29, 1861, on account of physical inability. He again enlisted in May, 1862, in Company G, Eighty-eighth Ohio Volun- teer Infantry. After three months' service he returned home sick and unfit for duty. In February, 1864, he re-enlisted in Company D, Sixty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until September, 1864, when he was promoted to the Second Lientenancy of the Seventh United States Colored Infantry, which position he held until the close of the Rebellion. He was engaged in many hard- fought battles, the most severe being that of Fort Gilmore, the regiment entering with thirty-three officers and coming out with five, and losing 700 men. Mr. McCuskey was married March 8, 1864, to Miss Emily J. Bugh, daughter of Henry and Charlotte (Black) Bugh, who was born in Perry Connty, Ohio, February 15, 1841. They are the par- ents of six children-Lizzie C., a graduate of the Iowa Agricultural College, at Ames, Iowa, now teaching in Marshall County, Iowa; Henry B., a member of the junior class at Ames; Waldo B. R., attending school at Woodbine, Iowa; Willie, Charlotte P. and Mary at home. In June, 1878, Mr. McCus- key and family landed in Grove Township, Shelby County, Iowa, having driven from Ohio in a wagon; they settled on section 14, on a farm of forty acres of wild land. Mr. McCuskey built a cabin and commenced im- proving his land. He has added to his first
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purchase until he now owns 320 acres, which he has brought from its original wild state to one of high cultivation. He has also replaced the cabin with a comfortable frame residence; he devotes his summers to farming, and spends his winters in teaching; he takes an active interest in the educational work of the county, and assists in all worthy enterprises tending to the advancement of the commu- nity. Politically lie is a staunch Republican, and a strong advocate of prohibition. He was presented by his party as a candidate for the office of auditor of the county, and has been justice of the peace, township elerk and secretary of the school board. Mr. and Mrs. MeOnskey are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Defiance.
DWARD S. BIGLER, a native of Tus- carawas County, Ohio, was born De- cember 29, 1840. Ile is the son of Samuel and Susannah (Kislig) Bigler, natives of Switzerland. He was reared and trained to agricultural pursuits in his native county, and received his education in the common schools. At the age of twenty-two years he canie to Iowa, settling in Poweshiek County, where he remained until 1879; he then came to Shelby County, locating on section 27, Grecley Township, on a farm of forty aeres of unimproved land; here he erected a ten- porary dwelling in which he spent the sum- mer and a part of the fall of 1879; the same autumn he purchased an adjoining forty acres of improved land and removed to this new place. In the fall of 1880 Mr. Bigler made another purchase of 120 acres of wild land adjoining the former purchase; here he has made many valuable improvements in the way of creeting buildings, and all the sur- roundings bespeak the thrift and prosperity
of the owner. He now owns 240 acres of finely improved land, with about six acres of grove. Mr. Bigler is a live, energetic man, devoting himself to general agricultural pur- suits and the raising of live-stock. Begin- ning life without any financial support, by industry and thrift he has gained an enviable position in the community. Politically he is a Republican, and at the present time is acting as justice of the peace. Mr. Bigler was married March 28, 1875, to Miss M. E. Grant, daughter of Henry and Ellen (Hog- garty) Grant, natives of Scotland and Ireland respectively. Mr. Bigler was born in Port- age County, Ohio, February 23, 1851. They are the parents of five children-Ethe V., Minnie I., Ivin E., John Leonard and Sarah Cecelia. They are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and are among Shelby County's respected citizens.
UGUST SCIINUETTGEN, a native of Prussia, has been identified with the interests of Shelby County since 1873, when he emigrated to America, and settled in Westphalia Township. He was born March 30, 1854, and is a son of Anton and Mary A. (llitze) Sehnuettgen, both deceased. August was the sixth child in a family of seven, three of whom reside in America. He was reared in his native country to farm life; he acquired a common-school education, and worked at the carpenter's trade one year previous to his coming to America. For twelve or thirteen years he followed this busi- ness in this country, and worked on a farm for one year. In the fall of 1885 Mr. Selinuettgen came to Earling, and erceted a large two-story brick building, in which he opened a stock of hardware, tinware, stoves, pumps and furniture; he also attends to the
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undertaking of Earling and vicinity, keeping a full line of burial robes and undertakers' supplies. Ilis stock in both lines is un- equaled in most towns of the size of Earling. He also owns forty acres of land in West- phalia Township, 160 acres in Union Town- ship, a house and lot in Panama, and his property in Earling. He has erected most of the school buildings in Westphalia and Union townships, beside a great number of dwell- ing houses. Mr. Schnuettgen has probably done as much as any other eitizen of the county toward the advancement and growthi of the town of Earling. Politically he affil- iates with the Democratic party. Ile was married February 10, 1886, to Louisa Block, daughter of Henry and Mary A. (Bolte) Block, who was born in Fort Madison, Iowa, October 2, 1862. Mr. and Mrs. Schnuettgen are members of the Roman Catholic church.
C. HEESE, dealer in lumber and build- ing materials, has been a resident of Westphalia Township since his eight- eenth year. He was born in Prussia, April 15, 1858, and is a son of John and Anna M. (Drexelius) Heese, natives of Prussia, but now residents of Westphalia Township. J. C. was the third child in a family of four, and was reared to farm life in his native country ; there he acquired a common-school education, and in 1876 emigrated to America with the other members of his family ; they immediately came to Westphalia Township, and have since made it their home. In 1881 our subject started in life for himself, having mastered the car- penter's trade, which he has since followed, also doing a large business in contracting. In 1886 he entered into partnership with Frank Hesse, and they carry a stock of lum- ber, lime, and general building supplies; they
also carry a stock of coal. Mr. Heese is a live, energetic man, and has done mnuch toward the building up of Earling and the surround- ing country. The firm does an annual busi- ness of $20,000. Mr. Ilcese is a stannel member of the Democratic party. Ile was married November 26, 1885, to Miss Elizabeth Gollobisch, a daughter of John and Rosina (Nipp) Gollobisch. Mrs. Hcese was born in Dubuque, Iowa, March 15, 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Heese are the parents of two children- Mary Rosina and Anna Margaretta. They are members of the Roman Catholic church.
- EWIS SHORETT has been identified with the history of Shelby County since April, 1872. He was born in New York, July 16, 1846, and is a son of Antoine and Amelio (Des Vough) Shorett. They were the parents of eleven children - Antoine, Philus, Joseph, Amelio, widow of Mr. Pratt; Lewis, Ilarriett, Mrs. Potter, two children who died in infancy; Jefferson, who went south before the war, and is supposed to be dead, as he has not been heard from since; Mary Goodal (deceased), and Louisa Smitlı (deceased). When a mere child of ten years Lewis left home and began the battle of life. Ile worked as a farm hand until the breaking out of the late war, when he enlisted in Com- pany B, Thirty-fourth Illinois Volunteer In- fantry, July 16, 1861, his fifteenth birthday. Ile was sworn into the United States service September 1, 1861. He was in the following engagements, besides many skirmishes: Shi- loh, Corinth, Stone River, Lookout Mount- ain, campaign of Atlanta, Sherman's march to the sea, and the battle of Bentonville. He was discharged July 12, 1865; his regiment disbanded in Chicago July 16, 1865, and he reached home July 20. Mr. Shorett was
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married December 10, 1867, to Miss Har- riett A., danghter of John and Susana (Hun- ter) Hopkins. She was born in New York December 11, 1848. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Shorett lived in Whiteside County, Illinois, for four years. In 1872 they started to lowa, traveling with teams. Mr. Shorett first bought forty acres of wild land and built a rude hut, in which they lived for a number of years. He now owns 320 acres of land in a high state of enltiva- tion and well improved otherwise. Ile car- ries on farming and general stock-raising, shipping a car-load of cattle and from one to two car-loads of hogs annually from his own place; he also does some buying and ship- ping. From the time the Chicago, Milwau- kee & Saint Paul Railroad came through Panama until recently, Mr. Shorett bought stock and grain at that point. Ile was a member of the county board of supervisors two terms, and has served in all the township offices. Ile is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is a liberal contributor to all publie enterprises. Mr. and Mrs. Shorett have had three children-Angusta (deceased), John Berton and Judson W.
and in 1887 Mrs. Larson died at Manning, the residence of one of her sons. Stevenger being a seaport town, Marselius early be- came familiar with seamen and vessels, and longed to be a sailor lad; so, when he had arrived at his thirteenth year he secured a berth as cabin boy, and in a few years became a full-fledged sailor. For seven years he trod the decks of a sailing vessel, but seeing no chance of promotion above the level of a com- mon sailor, without more of an education than he possessed or had facilities of acquiring, he decided to leave the sea and come to America, in which country better opportuni- ties would be open to him. Accordingly we find him at twenty-two years of age in the United States, working to secure a home for his loved one, who had crossed the ocean with his own family. It took but a short time to satisfy him that he could provide for two, and so after a few months they were united for life. Mrs. Larson's maiden name was Hannah Svensen, and she was born at Ste- venger, October 21, 1843. They were mar- ried December 28, 1864. The first two years in America Mr. Larson spent as a sailor upon the lakes, leaving his wife with his father's family. He then seenred fifty acres of land in Mahaska County, Iowa, and besides farm- ing that he dug wells and did odd jobs of masonry and painting, turning his hand to anything to earn an honest penny. In 1880 Mr. Larson removed to Shelby County, Iowa, desiring to seenre more land than was avail- able in the older county. His present home, " Hillside Farm," in Douglas Township, two miles east of Kirkman, consists of 200 acres of excellent land, all of which is finely im- proved. Hle has a nicely located commodi- ons house, well arranged stables and yards, and plenty of live-stock of the best breeds. Mr. Larson affiliates with the Republican
M ARSELIUS LARSON .- The subject of this biography was born at Ste- venger, Norway, November 4, 1842, and is the second of a family of eight chil- dren-the others being Angustine, Lewis, Christian, Maria, Stena (deceased), wife of T. B. Olson; Christena and Sarah. The parents were Larse and Stena Larson, natives of Norway. In 1864 the family emigrated to America and settled in Henry County, Iowa. Soon after they removed to Mahaska County, where Mr. Larson, Sr., died in 1870. The family came to Shelby County in 1880, | party, and has frequently been called to posi-
Marselinus Raison
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tions requiring executive ability and public confidence. He was a county delegate to the Des Moines convention to select delegates to the Chicago presidential convention in 1888. He is the present chairman of the township board of trustees, and has been a trustee for the last seven years. Having always taken an active interest in educational matters, he has often been elected to the board of edu- cation. He was active as a director in the organization of the Farmers' Mutual Insur- anee Company, and much of its success and prosperity are due to his personal attention. The confidence of the board of directors in his ability was shown by choosing him presi- dent of the company, a position he is now filling for the third time. Quitting Norway when a young man Mr. Larson has held a desire to revisit the scenes of his boyhood, and in 1885 he carried the desire into exeeu- tion. Onee more crossing the ocean that was his home for so many years, he passed several pleasant months among old scenes with the companions of his youth, and re- turned to appreciate more fully the country of his adoption. Mr. and Mrs. Larson have nine children-Lewis G., Julia Ann, wife of Thomas Errett, of Nebraska; Regena Belle, an intelligent young lady of nineteen; Mary, wife of Sherman H. Tague, of Shelby County; Marcus G., Alma Margretta, Dora, Edgar and Alfred.
M. PIEFFER is one of the leading merchants of Panama. He keeps a general stoek of hardware and jewelry, carrying a stock of $2,500. He has been in this business since February, 1888, having bought out Nelson Swenning. He had bought out L. M. Eby, who had established the busi- ness in 1881. Mr. Pieffer is a native of
Shelby County, Iowa, born March 15, 1859. He is a son of Benjamin and Elmira (Kauble) Pieffer, who are the parents of five eliildren -Ilattie, the wife of Caleb Smith; Benjamin F., J. M., Fannie E., the wife of F. J. Swen- ning, and William H. Benjamin Pieffer, Sr., came from Pennsylvania to Kanesville, now Conneil Bluffs, Iowa, in 1852. He re- mained there but a short time, and then came to Monroe Township, Shelby County, and entered fifty-nine aeres of land from the government, which he still makes his home. He has made additional purchases until he now owns 290 aeres, all under cultivation. He carried on general farming and stoek- raising until he retired from active business. He and his wife are natives of the State of Pennsylvania. Mr. Pieffer was born Septem- ber 5, 1823, and Mrs. Pieffer was born May, 1824. Both are of German descent. J. M. Pieffer remained with his parents until he was nineteen years old, assisting with the work on the home farm. He then engaged in farming for himself, and continued that occupation until he bought his present business.
EWTON J. ROUNDY, a resident of Washington Township, is an old settler, having come to the county in 1851. He was born in Pike County, Illinois, March 27, 1850, and is the son of Washington and Al- vira (Williams) Roundy, being the oldest of a family of eleven children. IIe remained at home working on his father's farm until he was nineteen years old, when he went to work by the month for another farmer. March 17, 1870, he was married to Miss Anna Kleeb, a daughter of Jolın and Barbara (Spars) Kleeb. She was one of a family of fourteen children, eleven of whom survive. She was born in
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Fayette County, Iowa, August 17, 1852. Mr. and Mrs. Roundy are the parents of five chil- dren- Carrie A., John E., George W., Albert R. and Lorinda B., who died July 25, 1888. IIer death was very sad, being caused by her clothing catching fire from matches with which she was playing. Her brother George rode to Panama, three and a half miles dis- tant, and brought back the physician, Dr. Gregg, in thirty minutes. But there was no help for her, and after four days of suffering her soul was released from the tortured little body. For three years after his marriage Mr. Roundy rented land. He then concluded to go to Nebraska, but his father offered to make him a gift of forty acres of land in Shelby County if he would live upon it. He accepted this proposition, and made this place his home for three years. He then sold it to his father and bought eighty aeres, which are included in his present farm; it consists of 485 acres, 295 of which are under the plow, 140 in pasture, and fifty in hay land. In 1888 Mr. Roundy erected a fine frame residence at a cost of $2,400. Ile handles live-stock quite extensively, shipping from 150 to 200 head of hogs each year, and from two to three car loads of cattle. Politically Mr. Roundy is inclined to the principles of the Democratic party. He has served his township as as- sessor, clerk, trustee, and is the present treas- urer. Hle is a member of Parian Lodge, No. 32, A. F. & A. M.
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AVID COLLINS, a farmer residing in Washington Township, is one of the oldest settlers of Washington Township, Shelby County, having come there in 1871. Hle sold his farm in Ogle County, Illinois, and eame to lowa, and bought forty aeres in Wash- ington Township, Shelby County. At that
time there was not a honse within a mile of Mr. Collins's place. Ile improved this small farm and made it his home until 1880, when he removed to eighty acres which he had purchased the year previous, and which is now his home. He has filled the offices of township clerk two terms, township trustee, and secretary of the school board; the last- named office he has held since March, 1884. David Collins is a native of Massachusetts, and was born May 25, 1837. He is a son of Timothy and Caroline (Wing) Collins, and the oldest and only surviving one of a family of three; his brother died at the age of three years, and his sister at the age of nine months. When he was bnt seven years old his mother died, and three years later his father was killed by the caving in of a bank; at the time he was attending school in Boston. In the year 1840 he went to Cape Cod and worked on a farm until 1855. He then went to sea for two years, making several trips abroad. In 1557 he left the water and came west, arriv- ing in Chicago April 16, 1857. Mr. Collins was married March 19, 1860, to Miss Elsie M. Wade, the daughter of Henry and Emeline (Norton) Wade. Shortly after his marriage he enlisted, August 29, 1863, in the army for the defense of this nation, and was en- rolled in Company D, Thirty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Ile was in several skirmishes and battles, and the siege of Charleston. Ile was duty - sergeant two years. He says his regiment was one of the most lucky until 1864. He was mustered out of the service September 10, 1864, at Petersburg, Virginia. Ile then returned to Illinois, and in the fall of 1865 bought forty acres of land in Ogle County, Illinois, which he made his home until removing to Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Collins are the parents of nine children-Ella, wife of Adelbert Whitney; Dora Josephine, wife of O. D. Whitney;
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Henry A., at home; Lulu May, wife of Edwin Foot: Nellie, Minnie, Lanra, Jessie, all at home. The second born died in infancy. Mr. Collins votes the Republican ticket.
HOMAS COSGROVE, a farmer and stock-raiser of Washington Township, has been identified with the interests of Shelby County, Iowa, since 1875. Ile was born in the County Mayo, half baronet of Erris, Ireland, July 25, 1828, and is the son of James and Mary (Robinson) Cosgrove. They were the parents of ten children, all de- ceased except Thomas. In 1847 he left Ire- land and went over to England, remaining there until 1849, when he went to the Isle of Wight. There he remained until 1851, when he crossed the sea in the service of the Brit- ish army, under Colonel Lochair. He was stationed at Halifax, and in 1852 he went to Boston and entered the United States service in Company G, Third Artillery, commanded by Major Robert Anderson, at Fort Sumter. On account of disability he was discharged July 19, 1863. From Boston he went to St. Lonis the same year, and worked at his trade in a foundry for three and a half years. For several years after that he was engaged in running a stationary engine. He left St. Louis in 1863 because he did not wish to join the Southern army, and came to Clinton County, Iowa, engaging in farming and keep- ing a grocery store. In 1875 he came to Shelby County, as before stated. Ifis first investment in the county was in eighty aeres of wild land. He owns at the present day 240 acres, all under enltivation. He carries on general farming, and devotes some time to raising special grades of live-stock. Polit- ieally Mr. Cosgrove casts his vote with the Republicans. He has served his township as
road supervisor and as school director. Ile was married in 1856 to Miss Mary W. Me- Andrews, daughter of Antony and Mary (Burk) McAndrews. The wedding occurred in St. Louis. Mrs. Cosgrove was born in Ireland in 1834. They have had born to them eleven children; two of them died in St. Lonis when children, and were buried there. James, a promising young man, died in Shelby County, Iowa, at the age of twenty- nine years. Those living are-Sarah, wife of Michael McAndrews; Margaret, Rosa, wife of Michael Nash; Mary, wife of Patrick Grady; Bridget, Antony, Dominick and Cath- erine.
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