USA > Iowa > Black Hawk County > Historical and biographical record of Black Hawk County, Iowa > Part 52
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68
General Grant. He participated in the battles of the Wilderness, Laurel Hill, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Bethsaida Church, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Hatch- ie's Run and others of minor importance. In his political views Mr. Dreese is a Re- publican.
-3- -1
HARLES E. PHIFER, farmer, sec- tion 13, Barclay Township, post- office Jesup, Buchanan County, is a native of Pittsburg, Pennsylva- nia, born April 9, 1844, a son of Charles and Jane (Carpenter) Phifer, natives of New Jersey and Pennsylvania re- spectively, the former of English and Ger- man, the latter of Welsh descent. They are now living in Franklin County, Iowa, the father aged seventy-five and the mother seventy years. Our subject is the third of twelve children, seven of whom are living. His father was a glass manufacturer in Pitts- burg, and he worked in the factory till sev- enteen years of age, when, his father selling out and going on a farm, he was employed in various vocations till 1863, when he came to Iowa, and for seven years lived in Buchanan County; nine months of the time was in the hotel business in Jesup. When Mr. Phifer started in life for himself he was a poor boy, but he has made rapid strides and is now one of the most prosperous citizens of Bar- clay Township. In attaining this prosper- ity he has been assisted by a noble and self- sacrificing wife. In addition to attending to his farm he has paid considerable atten- tion to auctioneering and is considered the best in the county. His success in this line is due to his ready reading of human nature and his honest and honorable dealing, al- ways giving his customers a fair knowledge of the goods they propose to buy. He was married June 23, 1867, to Emma C. Geiser, who was born in Pennsylvania, October 30, 1844. They have had three children; but
482
HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
two are living-Lillian W., born July 7,1869, and Myrtie I., born March 27, 1872. One died infancy. Lillian is a natural artist, her specimens comparing favorably with many older and more advanced students. After the breaking out of the war of the Rebell- ion Mr. Phifer offered his services in de- fense of his country, but was rejected on account of disability, much to his chagrin and dissatisfaction.
MANUEL SHAULIS, one of the successful agriculturists of Orange Township, residing on section 18, was born in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, November 5, 1821. His parents, Adam and Julia Ann Shaulis, were born, reared and married in Somerset County, and both are buried near their old home in that county. Our subject was reared to farm life, and from his boyhood assisted his father on the farm, remaining with his parents till twenty-oneyears of age. October 20, 1842, he was married to Julia Ann Harsh, a native of the same county as her husband, born February 2, 1822, and to them were born six sons and six daughters. Nine of the children still sur- vive-Mrs. Elizabeth Kistner, of Eagle Township; Simon, living in Orange Town- ship; Carrie, living at home; Noah, in Or- ange Township; Mrs. Amanda Brant, of Somerset County, Pennsylvania ; Emanuel A., of Dawson County, Nebraska; Mrs. Lot- tie Barron, of Dawson County, Nebraska; Wrestler I., of Orange Township, and Koo- ser J., of Dawson County. Julia died aged twelve years; Wesley died at the age of twenty-seven years, and Catherine died at the age of thirteen years. Mr. Shaulis com- menced life a poor man, not having enough capital to start housekeeping. After work- ing for others for three years, he had by his strict economy accumulated a small capital
which enabled him to rent land, and in 1867 he owned a good farm in his native county, which he traded for the land in Orange Township, which he still owns. Mr. Shaulis settled in his present residence October 24, 1867, where he has since been successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits. His home farm, which contains 240 acres, is under the best cultivation, and his building improve- ments are among the best in the township. Besides his home farm he owns 160 acres on section 20 and 160 acres on section 35 of Orange Township, and has deeded eighty acres to his son, Simon P. He also owns
a quarter-section of land in Dawson County, Nebraska. In politics Mr. Shaulis affiliates with the Republican party. He and his wife are members of the United Brethren church.
ERTEL P. MILLER, deceased, was born in Schleswig, Denmark, in October, 1845, and was a son of Peter and Annie Miller. He was reared and educated in his native country, and when a young man learned the tailor's trade which he followed till a short time prior to his death. He was united in marriage November 10, 1871, to Augusta Krumlinde, who was also a native of Schleswig, Denmark, and daugh- ter of August and Elizabeth Krumlinde, of whom her mother is now deceased. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Miller, of whom only four are now living- August B., Louis H., Amanda B. and Ber- tel P. Mr. Miller immigrated to America in 1873, settling in Chicago, Illinois, where for several years he carried on an extensive tailoring establishment, when failing health compelled him to give up his business and find out-door employment. After leaving Chicago he settled with his family on a farm in Cedar Falls Township, Black Hawk County, Iowa, where his death occurred
483
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
in- October, 1884. He was an affectionate father and kind husband, and a consistent member of the Danish Lutheran church. His widow is also a member of the same church. She is still a resident of Cedar Falls Township, where she owns a well-im- proved farm containing 170 acres of land.
AMES VIRDEN, section 18, Ben- nington Township, came to this county June 1, 1846, locating on the east side of Waterloo, within the present town site. The same year he pre-empted 158 acres on section 23, Bennington Township, fifty acres being timber land. On first coming here he worked on the mill-race at Cedar Falls till 1847, when he returned to the land he had pre-empted, living there in a log cabin till 1856, when he built a frame house, drawing the lumber by team from Dubuque. In 1858 he sold his farm and moved to Brunswick, Chariton County, Missouri, where he bought property and carried on the grocery business a year. He then sold out his store, which had been greatly damaged by the flood in the spring of 1859, and returned to Waterloo. He then bought a steam saw- mill which he operated till it was burned in 1861, his loss being about $3,000, with no insurance. He then ran a saw-mill at Waterloo for M. H. Moore for a year when he bought an eighty-acre farm near Waterloo, where he followed farming for about two years. He then sold his land and went to Elk Run, four miles east of Waterloo, where he bought 120 acres of land. After living on this land about ten years he sold it and moved to a section near, where he built a house which was soon af- ter destroyed by fire. He then lived in Waterloo till 1880, when his family removed to his present farm. During 1880 and 1881
Mr. Virden was engaged in the silver mines of Colorado, being from home about eight- een months, his brother Daniel having been in Colorado several years. He and his brother have claims there, his brother re- maining there to look after them ; since his return home in 1882 he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits at his present farm. Mr. Virden was born in Lexington, Ken- tucky, February 22, 1823, living there till nine years of age when his parents, William and Martha (Williamson) Virden, moved to Wayne County, Illinois, where he remained till he was twenty-two years old, after which he worked in the lead mines at Ga- lena one year, when he came to Black Hawk County, Iowa, in 1846, as before stated. He was married February 27, 1851, to Charlotte Pratt, daughter of Jona- than and Mary (Wilcox) Pratt. She died April 3, 1855, at the age of twenty-three years, leaving two children-George, born December 28, 185 1,married Carrie Job, and is farming in Colorado, and Willard, born January 8, 1853, married Mary Brickway, and is living in Colorado near his brother. Mr. Virden was again married January 18, 1858, to Harriet Richardson, born in Pres- ton, Chenango County, New York, in 1832, a daughter of Ebenezer and Mary (Nogar) Richardson, natives of Massachusetts, the father a native of Amherst and the mother born in Pittsfield in 1802. The father was a gunsmith by trade. He was married in Massachusetts, living there till Mrs. Virden was nine years old, when he moved to Mount Pleasant, Wayne County, New York, where he lived till his death in the winter of 1877, aged about seventy-seven years. His widow survived till 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Virden have four children-Frank, born August 17, 1861 ; Laura, born April 17, 1863; Emma, born October 26, 1866, and Rossen, born February 23, 1869, all natives of this county. Mr. Virden was the first man married in Black Hawk Coun-
48+
HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
ty. He was reared a Methodist, but is in- clined to be a free thinker. His wife is a member of the Methodist church. In pol- itics he is an independent Republican. Mr. Virden was one of the parties who laid out East Waterloo in 1853, a part of the origi- nal subdivision of the place, being a part of the land that he first pre-empted on sec- tion 23. The first general store in East Waterloo was established by Mr. Virden. Our subject's father was born in Delaware, living in his native State till of age. He then went to Kentucky where he was mar- ried, his wife being a native of New Jersey, born January 18, 1792. He came to Black Hawk County, Iowa, with his family in 1851, and died at Waterloo, March 3, 1855, aged sixty-eight years. James Virden, our subject, has served his township as con- stable and as school director.
ENRY BECKER, farmer, section 28, Big Creek Township, was born in Berkshire County, Penn- sylvania, May 8, 1838, the eldest of twelve children of John and Rebecca Becker, both natives of the Keystone State. He was reared a farmer, and has devoted his life to agricultural pursuits. He came to Iowa in 1871, and in 1876 lo- cated in Black Hawk County. He now owns a good farm of forty acres, and a house and lot in La Porte City. His wife has a fine farm of 120 acres of valuable land. He has been twice married. His first wife was Mary A. Bramer, a native of Ohio. She died in August, 1875. In 1876 he mar- ried Mrs. Sarah E. Falk, widow of George Falk, who was born in 1827 and died in 1873. She was born in Pennsylvania in 1840, and was a daughter of John and Han- nah Reed, the former a native of Pennsyl- vania and the latter of Maryland. Her father died in his native State, and her
mother is still living, aged eighty-one years. She has two children by her for- mer marriage-Laura, born May 7, 1865, and Lorenzo, born January 28, 1867. Mr. Becker has served his township as school director and road supervisor. In politics he is a Republican. He and his wife are members of the Evangelical church.
REGOR GRAY, farmer, section ...... 12, Spring Creek Township, is one of the well-to-do citizens of Black Hawk County. He has a finc farm of 190 acres, valued at $35 an acre. He is an enterprising, public- spirited man, and a ready advocate and supporter of all projects that promise bene- fit to his township. He is a native of Perth shire, Scotland, a son of James and Cath- crine Gray. He accompanied his parents to America in 1851, and in 1855 settled in Black Hawk County. His father died at Dubuque while on his way to this county, and his mother died in Spring Creek Township in 1884. Mr. Gray has never married.
HARLES HORTING, one of the prosperous and enterprising farmers of Black Hawk County, resides on section 2, Spring Creek Township, where he owns 300 acres of choice land, all under cultivation. He was a poor man when he located in Black Hawk County, in 1855, but by good management, industry and economy, both on his own part and that of his wife, he now has a pleasant home, and one of the best farms in the township. He is a native of Germany, born in 1824, a son of Charles and Minnie Horting. He was married in his native country to Philippine
and together two years later they came to
.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
485
the United States. They have a family of five children-Charles, Henry, Philippine, Minnie and Christina. Mr. and Mrs. Hort- ing are members of the German Lutheran church, and are liberal contributors to the support of the gospel, as well as to all en- terprises of benefit to their community.
OHN HARDTMAN, farmer, re- siding in Cedar Falls Township, was born in Germany, the date of his birth being July 2, 1826, a son of Adam Hardtman. He was reared to manhood in his native country, remaining there till the year 1869, when he immigrated to America. He came to Black Hawk County, Iowa, in 1876 and since 1877 has made his home in Cedar Falls Township, where he has a fine farm con- taining eighty acres of choice land, located on section 20. For his wife he married Mrs. Blum, who was also a native of Ger- many, and a daughter of George and Ann M. Zwick, who came to America in 1876. Mrs. Hartman was first married in her na- tive country to Gottleib Blum in 1859, and to this union were born four children, of whom three are yet living-Englebert, Gottleib and Sophia. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hardtman are members of the German Evangelical Association, and are respected citizens of Cedar Falls Township.
ILLIAM BAULER, one of the prosperous and enterprising farmers of Eagle Township, re- siding on section 18, is a native of Germany, where he was born Au- gust 18, 1834, a son of Matthias and Margaret Bauler, both of whom died in Germany. Our subject lived in his native country till twenty years of age, when in
1854 he immigrated to America, landing in New York City in May of that year. He remained in the State of New York one year when he went to Lee County, Illinois, living there and in La Salle County, Illinois, about ten years. He was united in mar- riage in Lee County, November 30, 1863, to Miss Annie Smith, who was also a na- tive of Germany, born January 6, 1844. This union has been blessed with six chil- dren-Mary, William, Katie, Peter, Joseph- ine and Emma. Mr. Bauler came with his family to Black Hawk County, Iowa, in the year 1866, when he settled on the farm where he still resides, which contains 208 acres of valuable land. Besides his home farm he owns a farm of 160 acres on sec- tion 19 of Eagle Township. Mr. Bauler came from Germany a poor boy, but by his un- tiring industry, persevering energy and strict frugality he has met with excellent success in his agricultural pursuits, bringing with him to this county a capital of $2,000 where he is ranked among the wealthy cit- izens. Politically Mr. Bauler casts his suffrage with the Democratic party. Both he and his wife are members of the Roman Catholic church.
ALORIOUS THOMAS, a promi- nent farmer of Washington Town- ship, came to Black Hawk County in July, 1851, and settled on the farm where he now lives, on section 15. He was born in Steuben County, New York, August 1, 1812, a son of Adna and Lois (Beckwith) Thomas. When he was fifteen years old his parents went to Olean County, New York, and there built a boat, and on it floated down the Alle- ghany River to the Ohio, and thence to Cairo, Illinois, where they took a steamer and went up the Mississippi to St. Louis, Missouri, and thence to St. Clair County,
1
HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
Illinois, where a brother of his mother lived. A year later they moved to Madison County. As soon as old enough he began working by the day and month, remaining in Madison County till 1837. He then went to Winnebago County, and in the fall of 1838 to Stephenson County, and lived there till his removal to Black Hawk County, in 1851. At that time there were about twelve families in the county, and at the time of its organization only thirty-five votes were cast. Mr. Thomas has always been one of the progressive, public-spirited men of his township, and from the small beginning in 1851 he has lived to see this county grow to be one of the best in Iowa, and has assisted materially in its develop- ment. Mr. Thomas was married December 8, 1838, to Almeda Helm, who was born in Chautauqua County, New York, July 10, 1818, a daughter of Vernon and Anna (Adams) Helm. Her father is living in Black Hawk County, and her mother died here in 1877, at the age of seventy-seven years. In 1837 her parents moved to Winne- bago County, Illinois, and a year later to Stephenson County, where she met and married Mr. Thomas. The parents of Mr. Thomas were natives of Massachusetts, his father born February 10, 1783, and his mother May 10, 1789. His father died in August, 1868, in Butler County, Iowa. His mother is also deceased. The father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was capt- ured at the battle of Queenstown, but was paroled by promising not to return again to his regiment. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas have had five children-two sons and three daughters. The former, Chauncey, born September 1, 1839, and Charles, born July 9, 1842, were both drowned in the lake near their home, August 19, 1851, by the upsetting of a canoe in which they were rowing, no one being near to give them assistance. The daughters are-Olive, born December 13, 1840; Orrilla, born Novem-
ber 4, 1843, and Melinda, born December 29, 1844. Olive is the wife of James Baker, of Washington Township. Orrilla married Samuel Sheilds, of Mt. Vernon Town- ship. Melinda married Michael Ulrich, who died April 21, 1872, leaving one child-Emma, born April 21, 1868. He was a soldier in the war of the Rebell- ion, serving two years. March 19, 1873, Mrs. Ulrich married Waldo E. Jones, a native of Swanton Falls, Ver- mont, born February 28, 1854, but when about a year old his parents moved to Wis- consin, where he was reared, and in 1870 he came to Black Hawk County. Mr. and Mrs. Jones have had four children- Cora L., born December 29, 1873, died aged ten months and nine days; Etta M., born March 20, 1875 ; Valorious E., Febru- ary 23, 1879, and Ida P., October 16, 1881. In politics Mr. Thomas was originally a Whig, casting his first Presidential vote ' for Henry Clay, and now affiliates with the Republican party.
ILLIAM H. STEIMEL, one of the early settlers of Eagle Town- ship, resides on section 15, where he has a valuable farm containing 180 acres of land. Mr. Steimel was born in Germany, in July, 1829, and in 1854, in order to better his condition, he immigrated to America. After coming to this country he worked on a farm in La Salle County, Illinois, for two years, being employed by the month. In 1856 he in- vested his small capital in land, and com- menced the improvement of his present home, which at that time was the naked prairie. After living on his land alone over two years, he, in 1859 married Miss Eliza- beth Penne, who was also a native of Ger- many, born in the year 1838. She came to America with her parents, John G. and
487
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Anna E. Penne, who settled in Black Hawk County, Iowa, near the farm of Mr. Steimel, in 1857. The father died in January, 1869, and the mother still resides on the home- stead, on section 15, Eagle Township. Eleven of the thirteen children born to Mr. and Mrs. Steimel yet survive-Adelaide, wifeof Charles Struble; Mary Bertha, finished her education at the State Nor- mal School at Cedar Falls, and is now teaching at La Porte; Emma A., Will- iam E., Clara A., Henry E., Joseph F., John A., Frances E., Esther A. and Theodore M. are at home. John A. and Celia died in infancy. The family are members of the Roman Catholic church. Mr. Steimel is a very successful farmer, and is quite extensively engaged in stock- raising. He is an active, public-spirited citizen, and takes a prominent part in all public matters. He was the first tax col- lector of his township, which position he filled seven years. He has also been asses- sor and township clerk several years, and for many years was school secretary, in all of which offices he served very efficiently. He is at present serving as school treas- urer.
ILLIAM H. HURD, junior mem- ber of the firm of Snyder & Hurd, publishers of the Cedar Falls Gazette, is a son of C. and Betsey Hurd, and was born in Cayuga County, New York, Novem- ber 15, 1837. He left home at the age of thirteen, and for three years was at school. He then learned the printer's trade, which he has since followed continuously, except two years and a half in the army. He en- listed in 1861, in the Nineteenth New York Infantry. In 1868 he left Syracuse and im- migrated to Chicago, where he resided twelve years. He came to Cedar Falls in
I880. He was married January 7, 1864, to Ruth Hutchinson, at Pavilion, Genesee County, New York. They have one son -Egbert. Mr. Hurd is a Republican in politics, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Legion of Honor, An- cient Order of United Workmen and Grand Army of the Republic.
EORGE EILER, farmer, Cedar Falls Township, was born in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, a son of Philip and Frederica Eiler, who were both natives of Germany. They were the parents of six chil- dren, five of whom yet survive -- George, Daniel, John P., Louisa M. and Sarah. In 1868 the parents moved with their family to Black Hawk County, Iowa, locating on a farm in Cedar Falls Township, near the present home of our subject. The father began life in America with the small sum of $2, but by his industry and strict economy he added to this till at the time of his death, which occurred February 18, 1884, he was the owner of 320 acres of valuable land. He was a member of the German Evangel- ical Association, and was very much re- spected throughout his neighborhood. While living in the county he served as school director. His wife still survives, and is also a member of the Evangelical As- sociation. Our subject came to Black Hawk County with his parents in 1868, where he grew to manhood on a farm, his education being obtained in the schools of his neighborhood. January 20, 1880, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary War- den, of Black Hawk County. They have one son, Daniel, born January 21, 1883. Mr. Eiler is a successful and enterprising farmer, being the owner of a well-improved farm containing 200 acres of land located
4SS
HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
in the southern part of Cedar Falls Town- ship. He is one of the enterprising citizens of his township, and contributes liberally of his means to both church and county af- fairs. Like his parents he is a member of the German Evangelical Association. He is at present serving as school director. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party.
R H. WILCOX came to Black Hawk County, Iowa, in March, 1877, and immediately settled on his present farm on section 34, Mt. Ver- non Township, which he had pur- chased in the fall of 1876. He has in all 160 acres of land, well improved and well fenced, except thirty acres. He has a good frame residence, with fair barn and other farm buildings. Mr. Wilcox was born June 6, 1836, in Corn- wall, Litchfield County, Connecticut, where he was reared till he came to Iowa. He was married February 3, 1864, in Canaan, Connecticut, to Julia A. Calkins, daughter of Noah H. and Nancy (Dean) Calkins. Her mother died when she was nine years of age, after which she lived with an aunt in Erie County, New York, and while living in Erie County her father died. To Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox have been born four children-Carrie E., born January 28, 1865, now married to Dennis Knapp, and living in Butler County, Iowa ; Nellie M., born July 9, 1870 ; Ida M., born December 23, 1874; Frederick H., born January 16, 1877. In politics Mr. Wilcox is a Democrat. His parents, R. H. and Fannie M. Wilcox, were both natives of Litchfield County, Connecticut, the father born March 10, 1800, and the mother in 1810. They were married in their native county, and to them were born two chil- dren-R. H., our subject, and Frank E., who was born June 6, 1839. The family
came to Black Hawk County, Iowa, from Connecticut in 1877, the father dying here November 24, 1880. The mother died in Litchfield County, Connecticut, April 18, 1872. R. H. Wilcox, Sr., was a selectman from 1840 till he came to Iowa. After coming here he was a member of the Board of Relief, and held many township offices with satisfaction to his constituents. He was elected a member of the Legislat- ure in the spring of 1861, and served one term.
IMOTHY H. ELWELL, deceased, was born November 6, 1813, a na- tive of Knox County, Ohio, and a son of David and Nancy Elwell. Three brothers named Elwell emi- grated from Europe to America prior to the Revolutionary war, one of whom was the paternal ancestor of our subject. His grandfather served as a soldier in that and his war, father was a soldier in the war of 1812. He was reared and educated in his native State, and for his first wife mar- ried a Miss McCormick. He was united in marriage to his second wife, June 23, 1847, her maiden name being Sarah Reed. She was born September 26, 1823, in Cham- paign County, Ohio, a daughter of Samuel and Jane Reed, who were early settlers of that county, her father being of English and her mother of Irish descent. To this union were born three children-Martha J., Ida and Albert. Mr. Elwell removed with his family to Black Hawk County, Iowa, in the fall of 1854, and entered Govern- ment land in the vicinity of Waterloo, residing and engaging in business at the latter place, remaining there till 1866. He then removed to La Porte City, having previous to his arrival built the well-known grist-mill, which, in 1882 was furnished throughout with new machinery, now turn- ing out the roller-process flour of a high
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.