USA > Iowa > Adair County > History of Adair County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 2
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On the 19th of October, 1870, in Adair county, Iowa, Mr. Kilburn was married to Miss Elizabeth H. Peet, a daughter of Josiah W. Peet, and to them have been born four children, two sons and two daughters, but Charles W. died in 1897, at the age of twenty-five years, and a daughter died in infancy. Charles W. was a graduate of Highland Park College. Des Moines, with the class of 1894 and at the time of his death was assistant principal in the college at Memphis, Missouri. The surviving son, George G., born in 1874, was also graduated from the Highland Park College of Des Moines in 1894. The daughter, Mary L., is the wife of Rev. Raymond M. Shipman, a Methodist minister now occupying a pastorate at Mount Ayr, Iowa.
Although Mr. Kilburn has passed the seventy-third milestone on life's journey, he is hale and hearty. as alert mentally and physically as many a man several years his junior. His political allegiance has always been given to the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. For twenty years he served as treasurer of Summerset School township. In 1893 he was elected to the Iowa
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HISTORY OF ADAIR COUNTY
state senate from the Sixteenth district, comprising the counties of Adair and Madi- son, to fill a vacancy caused by the election of A. L. Hager to Congress, and in 1895 was reelected for a term of four years, serving in the twenty-fifth and twenty- sixth regular, the twenty-sixth special and the twenty-seventh sessions of the Iowa general assembly. His long residence in Adair county enables him to speak with authority concerning the events which have left their impress upon its history and, indeed, he has taken an active part in shaping that history.
HENRY SCHUTT.
Henry Schutt, who operates an excellent farm in Orient township, is a native of Germany, born March 16, 1869, and is a son of Fred Schutt. Both his parents were also born in the fatherland and there the mother passed away. The father, however, emigrated to America in 1883, taking up his abode in Cedar county, Iowa, where he resided for ten years. At the end of that time he removed to Crawford county, where he is still living.
Henry Schutt remained with his father until he became of age and then began farming on his own account in Crawford county. Subsequently he removed to this county and is now carrying on general agricultural pursuits in Orient township. He is at once practical and progressive in his methods, and his labor is rewarded by gratifying financial returns.
Mr. Schutt was married in 1896 to Miss Mary Schuldt, who was born in Ger- many, a daughter of Carl and Mary (Jacobs) Schuldt, both likewise natives of the fatherland. In 1884 the family removed to America and located in South Dakota. Subsequently they took up their residence in Shelby county, Iowa, but both parents passed away in Crawford county, Iowa. Mrs. Schutt is one of a family of seven children and by her marriage has become the mother of five, namely: Ida, Carl, Elsie, Clara and Anna.
Mr. Schutt votes the republican ticket and is now serving acceptably as school director. Both he and his wife are devout members of the Lutheran church, to the support of which they contribute. His life has been characterized by unswerving integrity, and all who know him respect him highly.
ADAM BURG.
Adam Burg, formerly of Jackson township, was for many years engaged in wagon making and gained an enviable reputation as an expert workman. His demise, which occurred in 1900, was deeply regretted by his many friends. Hc was born in Germany, April 9, 1850. but when an infant of six months was brought by his parents to America, the family home being established in La Salle county, Illinois. The father followed agricultural pursuits until his demise, which occurred in that county. The mother passed away in Adair county, Iowa, in 1906. They were the parents of eleven children, seven of whom are still living.
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Adam Burg was reared in La Salle county, Illinois, and acquired his education in the district sehools. He remained at home until he attained his majority and then learned the wagon making trade, which he continued to follow throughout his life. He was a rapid and accurate workman and as he was always honest and straightforward in his business dealings he was well patronized and highly esteemed in his community. At the time of his death he was residing in Jackson township and in his demise the community lost a valued citizen.
In 1876 Mr. Burg married Miss Louisa Bloom, a native of Germany and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Bloom. Her mother died when she was but an infant and not long afterward her father also passed away. She was given a home by strangers and remained in Germany until she was eighteen years of age. She then emigrated to America and located in Adair county, Iowa, where her marriage occurred. Following the demise of her husband in 1900 she purchased two hundred acres of fine land on seetion 15, Jackson township. this county. She is renting the farm to her son but still resides upon the place. She is a woman of excellent business ability and manages her affairs well. She is . the mother of eleven children, namely: Conrad; William: John; Anna, the wife of Anthony Bell- inghausen, a resident of Oklahoma; Minnie, who married E. J. Hall, of this county ; Joseph; Mary, the wife of William Diers; Frank, deceased; Lena, who married Clarence Kriens ; Leroy ; and Martha L., at home.
Mr. Burg gave his political allegiance to the democratic party but never desired to hold publie office as his business demanded his entire time. His integrity was never assailed and his many admirable traits of character bound his friends to him by strong ties of affection and respect and they still cherish his memory. Mrs. Burg is a devont member of the Roman Catholic church, whose teachings constitute the guiding rules of her life.
JOHN EHRENFRIED.
John Ehrenfried, the period of whose residence in Adair county covers forty- three years, was long and actively identified with agricultural interests here but is now living retired at Fontanelle in the enjoyment of well earned ease. His birth occurred in Germany on the 16th of September, 1844, his parents being Henry and Fredericka Ehrenfried, who spent their entire lives in that country. They had five children, three of whom survive.
John Ehrenfried acquired his education in the schools of his native land and remained at home until he had attained his majority. In 1868, when a young man of twenty-four years. he set sail for the United States and after reaching American shores made his way to Lee county, Illinois, where he worked on a farm for four years. In 1872 he came to Adair county, Iowa, and here continued working as a farm hand for four years more, on the expiration of which period he purchased eighty acres of land on section 9, Summerset township. He erected good buildings on the property and engaged in its operation, annually gathering good erops which found a ready sale on the market. In 1894 he sold the eighty aeres and bought one hundred and sixty acres of unimproved land in the same township, which he also converted into a modern farm. He has developed two farms in Adair county and
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HISTORY OF ADAIR COUNTY
thus contributed to its agricultural progress. Eventually accumulating a comfortable competence, he put aside the active work of the fields and purchased a handsome residence in Fontanelle, where he is now spending the evening of life in honorable retirement. He may truly be called a self-made man, for the prosperity which he now enjoys has come as the direct result of his own efforts and unfaltering perseverance.
In 1874 Mr. Ehrenfried was united in marriage to Miss Amelia Flaeshman, a native of Germany and a daughter of George and Margaretta (Bomgardner) Flash- man, who spent their entire lives in the fatherland. They had seven children, four of whom are yet living. To Mr. and Mrs. Ehrenfried have been born four children, as follows: Lena A., who is deceased; John A., on the farm; Emma, who is the wife of Fred Newman, a landowner of Jackson township; and Elsie, who gave her hand in marriage to William Schroeder, of Fontanelle.
Mr. Ehrenfried gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has ably served in the capacity of road supervisor. Both he and his wife are devoted and consistent members of the Lutheran church. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to scek a home in the new world, for here he found the opportunities which he sought and with the assistance of his estimable wife he has won well deserved and gratifying prosperity.
L. E. FOSTER, M. D. C.
Dr. L. E. Foster, who is one of the younger veterinary surgeons of this section of the state, is also one of the ablest and most successful. He was born in Madison county on the 2d of May. 1888, a son of Ashford L. and Jennie (Orr) Foster, natives respectively of Madison county. Iowa, and of Ohio. The paternal grand- father, John Foster, removed from Ohio to Madison county, Iowa, in the early days of its settlement and was a well known pioneer. The mother of our subject removed to Madison county in young womanhood with her parents. Ashford L. Foster followed agricultural pursuits during his active life but for the past fifteen ycars has lived retired in Winterset.
Dr. L. E. Foster was reared under the parental roof and attended the public schools in the acquirement of his elementary and secondary education, being gradu- ated from the Winterset high school with the class of 1907. In the fall of that year he took up the study of veterinary surgery, entering the Chicago Veterinary College, from which he was graduated in 1910. For the next two years he was house surgeon of the college and assistant to the president and during that time he gained much experience that has been of great value to him since he began the independent practice of his profession. On the 1st of May, 1912, he located in Greenfield and in the intervening three years has built up an extensive practice. He is known as an able veterinarian not only throughout this county but throughout adjoining counties, and the large measure of success which he has gained is unusual for one of his years.
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Dr. Foster is at present serving as deputy sheriff of Adair county, having been appointed to that office on the 1st of January, 1915. He belongs to Crusade Lodge, No. 386, A. F. & A. M., and is also a member of Creston Lodge, No. 605, B. P. O. E ..
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of Creston. He holds the complete confidence and respect of his colleagues in his profession as well as of the general public and personally he is very popular. Although his time is largely taken up with his work as a veterinary surgeon he finds opportunity to take an active part in movements seeking the advancement of his community and his public spirit is one of his marked characteristics.
JACOB GLADE.
A fine farm of three hundred and one aeres in Jackson township is the visible evidence of the prosperity of Jacob Glade, a well known stockman. A native of Germany, he was born February 21, 1863, and is a son of Michael and Christina Glade, an account of whose lives appears elsewhere in this work. Our subject remained with his parents until he became of age and then began his independent business career, renting land which he cultivated for three years. At the end of that time he purchased a farm in Prussia township, this county, and devoted three years to its operation and improvement. At the end of that time he sold the place and subsequently bought three hundred and one aeres on sections 27 and 34, Jackson township, where he still resides. He has made a number of improvements upon the place since it came into his possession and keeps everything in excellent condition. He makes a specialty of raising Poland China hogs and is one of the most successful stock-raisers in his township.
In 1889 Mr. Glade married Miss Carolina Hofmann, who was born in Adair county, lowa, of the marriage of Peter and Margaret (Bitner) Hofmann. Her parents were both born in Germany, but in 1850 came to America, locating first in La Salle county, Illinois. After residing there for nineteen years they came to this county and located upon a farm. Eventually, however, they removed to Minne- sota, where they are still living. Twelve of their fifteen children survive. Mr. and Mrs. Glade have five children, Charles P .. Emil W., Minnie M., Ida S., and Luey R.
The democratic party finds in Mr. Glade a stalwart supporter, as he believes firmly in the wisdom of its policies. He has served as road supervisor and school director and takes much interest in everything relating to the public welfare. Fra- ternally he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America at Bridgewater. He is well known both within and without that order, and all who have been brought in contaet with him recognize his ability and integrity.
ELLIS W. WOLFE.
Ellis W. Wolfe is the owner of an excellent farm of three hundred and twenty aeres situated on sections 3 and 4, Lee township, and in the further development and improvement of the place he spends a busy life, his labors being attended with gratifying results. Iowa mimbers him among her native sons, for his birth occurred in Jackson county, March 11, 1871, his parents being Jacob and Elizabeth (Ellis) Wolfe. The father was a native of Pennsylvania and the mother of Indiana and at
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HISTORY OF ADAIR COUNTY
an carly period in the development of Iowa they came to this state, remaining in Jackson county until they took up their abode upon a farm within the borders of Adair county. Their remaining days were here passed and they became the parents of five children, of whom four are yet living.
Ellis W. Wolfe continued at home until he reached his majority and then began farming on his own account by renting land. For fifteen years he continued to cultivate farms which he leased but during that period he carefully saved his earnings and as soon as possible made investment in property, becoming the owner of eighty acres in Grove township. There he lived for five years, at the end of which time he sold the property and bought a farm in Guthrie county, Iowa, which he owned for a short time. He then traded for a farm in Lee township, Adair county, but afterward disposed of that place and bought one hundred and sixty acres on section 3, Lee township. He afterward bought one hundred and sixty acres more on section 4, Lee township, and he now owns three hundred and twenty acres, all of which is improved. All the modern equipment of a farm is to be seen upon this place, which is divided into fields of convenient size by well kept fences, while commodious and substantial barns and outbuildings furnish ample shelter for grain, stock and farm machinery. He uses the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields and in all regards his place is a model farm. He devotes considerable atten- tion to raising and feeding stock and that branch of his business is returning to him a substantial income.
In 1912 Mr. Wolfe was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Piers, a native of Michigan and a daughter of Thomas L. and Sarah Piers, both of whom are deceased. Our subject and his wife have one son, Leroy W. Mr. Wolfe votes with the republican party but has never been an office seeker, being content with exercising his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of his party. He belongs to the Odd Fellows Lodge No. 375 and his wife is a member of the Christian church. Mr. Wolfe deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, for he started out in life empty-handed and may truly be called a self-made man. He has worked per- sistently and energetically, overcoming all the difficulties and obstacles in his path, and today he is one of the substantial agriculturists of Lee township.
NIS CHRISTENSEN.
Nis Christensen owns and operates an excellent farm embracing two hundred and forty acres on sections 14 and 15, Grand River township. His birth occurred in Germany on the 22d of May, 1867, his parents being Nis A. and Kathrina (Even- sen) Christensen, both of whom were natives of Denmark. The father still resides in Germany, but the mother has passed away. To them were born six children, four of whom survive.
Nis Christensen acquired a common-school education in his youth and when seventeen years of age set sail for the United States, desiring to test the truth of the many favorable reports which had reached him concerning the opportunities and advantages of this country. After landing on American shores he made his way to Council Bluffs, Pottawatamie county, Iowa, and began working as a farm hand, being thus employed for three years. Subsequently he cultivated a rented
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HISTORY OF ADAIR COUNTY
farm in Audubon county, this state, for several years and then purchased cighty acres of land in Cass county, operating the place for four years. On the expiration of that period he disposed of the property and purchased his present home farm of two hundred and forty acres on seetions 11 and 15, Grand River township, Adair county, where he has carried on agricultural pursuits continously to date. He has made a number of substantial improvements on the place and in connection with the production of cereals makes a specialty of raising and feeding hogs, both branches of his business proving profitable. In its neat and thrifty appearance the farm indicates the supervision of a practical and progressive owner, and the well tilled fields annually yield golden harvests.
Mr. Christensen has been married twice. In 1890 he wedded Miss Louise Frost, by whom he had ten children, namely: George A .; Theodore; Clarence E .; Dora, who is deccased ; Hans H .; Harry W .; William; Walter; Julius; and one who died in infancy. The wife and mother passed away in 1907 and two years later Mr. Christensen was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Christina Soren- sen, who is a native of Denmark and emigrated to the United States in 1908. By her first husband she had two daughters, Christa and Esther.
Politically Mr. Christensen is a stanch republican and he has ably served as school director for two years. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Wood- men of America, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Lutheran church, to which his wife also belongs. The hope that led him to leave the old world and seek a home in the new has been more than realized, for here he found the opportunities which he sought and by dint of untiring industry and energy has won a place among the prosperous and representative citizens of his community.
G. H. SAWYERS.
G. H. Sawyers is busily engaged in the operation of a well improved farm of two hundred and eighty acres which he owns on sections 2 and 11, Grand River township. His birth occurred in Ohio on the 8th of December, 1860, his parents being George and Margaret (Gillespie) Sawyers, who spent their entire lives in that state. To them were born twelve children, six of whom survive.
G. H. Sawyers acquired a common-school education in his youth and remained under the parental roof until after his father's demise. In 1880, when a young man of twenty, he came to Adair county, Iowa, and was here employed as a farm hand for fifteen years, on the expiration of which period he rented a tract of land, continuing its cultivation for two years. Subsequently he purchased a farm in Madison county which he operated for two years, when he disposed of the property and bought his present place of two hundred and eighty aeres on sections 2 and 11, Grand River township, this county. He has erected modern and substantial build- ings thereon and in his undertakings as an agriculturist has won a gratifying and well merited measure of success, being actively engaged in general farming and also raising, buying, feeding and shipping stock of all kinds. His prosperity has come as the direct reward of his indefatigable industry, though he attributes much to the
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G. H. SAWYERS AND FAMILY
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HISTORY OF ADAIR COUNTY
assistance of his estimable wife, and his career is that of a self-made man whose record should serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others.
In 1888 Mr. Sawyers was united in marriage to Miss Josephine Bunce, a native of Madison county, Iowa, and a daughter of Hiland and Mary L. (Stockton) Bunce, both of whom were born in Missouri. They came to Adair county in the early '60s and here spent the remainder of their lives. Their family numbered six children, five of whom are still living. To Mr. and Mrs. Sawyers were born three children, namely: William, who is deceased; Ruby Irene; and Helen M. The wife and mother died on the 31st of July, 1914, and her remains were interred in the Roberts cemetery.
Mr. Sawyers gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and has accept- ably served as school director and trustee. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belonged. The period of his residence in this part of the state now covers thirty-five years and he has long been numbered among the representative agriculturists and enterprising citizens of the community.
E. N. PERKINS.
E. N. Perkins has devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits in Adair county for the past third of a century and is the owner of a well improved farm embracing two hundred and forty acres of land on section 21, Richland township. His birth occurred in Washington county, Iowa, on the 6th of January, 1856, his parents being Joseph and Mary E. (Griffith) Perkins, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Ohio. Their marriage was celebrated in Iowa, Mary E. Griffith having come to this state in 1810 and Joseph Perkins a little later. The latter passed away here, but his six children all survive.
E. N. Perkins enjoyed the advantages of a high-school education in his youth and remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority. He then followed farming on his own account for two years and on the expiration of that period made his way to Kansas, where he spent three years. At the end of that time he came to Adair county, Iowa, and bought an eighty acre tract of raw prairie land in Richland township, which he improved and to which he added by later purchase until his farm now embraces two hundred and forty acres on section 21. He has won a gratifying measure of success in its operation and makes a specialty of stock-raising, that branch of his business proving very profitable.
In 1889 Mr. Perkins was united in marriage to Miss Alice O. Epperson, a native of Illinois and a daughter of Henry and Carrie (Carnes) Epperson, who were also born in that state. The father is deceased but the mother is yet living. Mr. and Mrs. Perkins have become the parents of five children, as follows: Fairy, who is the wife of Albert Rectenbaugh; Dora, who gave her hand in marriage to Walter Herrick; Maud, the wife of Carl Dory; and Carl and Cressie, both at home.
Mr. Perkins gives his political allegiance to the democracy and has served as trustee for four years, making a most creditable record in that connection. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belongs. He has ever shown great interest in all that pertains Vol. II-2
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HISTORY OF ADAIR COUNTY
to the general welfare, and has been known as a public-spirited man who has always found time to cooperate in movements for the public good. In all the relations of life he has been honorable and straightforward, and his example is well worthy of emulation.
B. T. STRONG.
B. T. Strong, a well known resident of Orient township, is engaged in raising hogs, sheep and Shire horses and also eonduets a dairy. He was born in that township, January 13, 1871, a son of W. H. and Amy M. (Tuttle) Strong. The father, who was born in Pennsylvania, removed to Illinois at an early day in the history of that state and was there married. In the '60s he, came to Adair county, Iowa, and located in Orient township, where both he and his wife passed their remaining days. More detailed mention of the family is found elsewhere in this work.
B. T. Strong remained under the parental roof until he became of age and then, in partnership with his brother, A. O. Strong, bought one hundred and seventy-five acres of fine land in Orient township. They pay a great deal of attention to the raising of hogs and sheep for the market and also breed high grade Shire horses. They likewise have a number of fine Jersey cows and conduet a dairy. Their various lines of business are well managed and their labor returns them a gratifying annnal income.
In October, 1898, occurred the marriage of B. T. Strong and Miss May Ross, a native of Missouri. Her father, Mack Ross, is still living, but her mother, who bore the maiden name of Mattie Tipton, is deceased.
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