USA > Iowa > Adair County > History of Adair County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 21
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In 1888 Mr. Abbott was united in marriage to Miss Anna Jensen, by whom he has four children, as follows: Anna Fay, at home; Julius Clark, who follows farm- ing in Orient township; and James Raymond and Mary Elizabeth.
Mr. Abbott is a democrat in his political views but always exercises his right of franchise with more regard for the capability of a candidate than for his party affiliation. Both he and his wife enjoy the esteem of many friends who have been attracted to them by their sterling worth and many excellencies of character.
FRANK W. LUERS.
Frank W. Lucrs has spent his entire life on the farm which he now owns and operates, the property comprising two hundred acres of valuable land on section 26, Grand River township. His birth occurred on the 19th of December. 1879, his parents being John D. and Mary (Strater) Luers, who were natives of Germany and cmigrated to the United States in an early day. They made their way to Adair county, Iowa, and here the father entered the land which is now in possession of our subject, devoting his attention to its cultivation throughout the remainder of his life. He lived in a log cabin for several years and bravely faced the hard- ships and privations of frontier existence. Both Mr. and Mrs. Luers became widely known here and in their passing the community lost two of its honored pioneer resi- dents. They were the parents of eleven children, eight of whom still survive.
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Frank W. Luers attended the common schools in the acquirement of an educa- tion and after attaining his majority rented the old home farm. Subsequently he purchased the property, consisting of two hundred acres of land on section 26, Grand River township, which is excellently improved in every particular. He has erected a large barn thercon since the farm came into his possession and in its operation is meeting with well deserved success, carrying on his interests in accord with the most practical and progressive methods of agriculture. His present pros- perity is worthy of note by reason of the fact that it is attributable entirely to his own energy and perseverance, and his record may well serve as a source of inspira- ion and encouragement to others.
In 1904 Mr. Lners was united in marriage to Miss Edna Elliott, a native of Adair county, Iowa, and a daughter of Hezekiah and Hattie (McMullen) Elliott, both of whom are natives of Indiana. They came to this county in an early day and now make their home in the city of Greenfield. To Mr. and Mrs. Luers have been born four children, as follows: Mildred L .; Floyd F., who is deceased; Lyle; and one who died in infancy.
Mr. Luers is a republican in politics but has never sought nor desired office as a reward for his party fealty. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belongs. They have always lived in this county and have won an extensive circle of friends within its borders.
IRA G. JACOBS.
Ira G. Jacobs is one of the successful farmers of Richland township and is well known and highly esteemed in his locality. A native of Illinois, he was born in Logan county, January 23, 1879, a son of Wayne J. and Nancy R. (Gassett) Jacobs, natives respectively of Ohio and Indiana. However, their marriage was celebrated in Illinois and they resided in that state until 1883, when they came with their family to Adair county, Iowa, locating in Jackson township. The following year, however, they removed to Fontanelle, where the father engaged in draying and teaming. He passed away there on the 23d of May, 1914. The mother is still living in that town.
Ira G. Jacobs was educated in the Fontanelle schools and in 1897, when eighteen years of age, he began farming for himself, renting land in Summerset township. The first year he cultivated eighty acres in partnership with his two brothers and during the three following years they farmed one hundred and sixty acres. In the meantime they had turned their attention chiefly to the stock business and as their herds needed more land they rented four hundred and eighty acres and there con- tinued in stock-raising. In 1907 they purchased a farm of two hundred acres, upon which our subject is still living. The three brothers operated the place in partner- ship for a year but at the end of that time our subject was married and purchased the interests of his brothers, becoming sole proprietor of the place. It is one of the excellent stock farms in the county and he derives a handsome income from his stock-raising interests. He owns stock in the Fontanelle Lumber Company and is recognized as one of the substantial men of the county.
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On the 27th of March, 1908, occurred the marriage of Mr. Jacobs and Miss Laura A. Torrence, a daughter of B. S. Torrence, of Tabor, Fremont county, this state. To this union have been born three children, Margaret Alice, Kenneth Harold and Mildred Fay.
Mr. Jacobs supports the candidates of the republican party at the polls. Fra- ternally he is connected with the Woodmen of the World, and both he and his wife hold membership in the Congregational church at Fontanelle. In all the relations of life he has measured up to high standards of manhood and all who know him speak highly of him.
SANDERS E. EVANS.
Sanders E. Evans, who owns and operates about three hundred acres of land on section 6, Richland township, was born in Cambria county, Pennsylvania, June 25, 1868. His parents, William E. and Mary Ann (Williams) Evans, were natives of Wales but were brought to the United States as children by their respective parents. Both families located in Cambria, Pennsylvania, where the parents of our subject grew to mature years and where their marriage occurred. In 1870 they emigrated westward and located in Iowa City, whence, in the following year, they came to Adair county. They settled in Richland township and the father became an extensive landowner, acquiring about nine hundred and sixty acres. During the last few years of his life he resided with our subject, and he reached the advanced age of eighty-eight years.
Sanders E. Evans received his education in the district schools and upon reach- ing manhood became his father's partner in the operation of the latter's extensive farm. They engaged in raising high grade stock and our subject received half of the profits. When about twenty-two years old he purchased his first land and has since added to his individual holdings, which now comprise about three hundred acres of fine land. He concentrates the greater part of his time and attention upon stock-raising and has found that occupation very profitable. He understands the business thoroughly ; is progressive and energetic; and manages his financial affairs well. He owns stock in the Fontanelle Lumber Company.
Mr. Evans is a republican in his political belief and fraternally is connected with Fontanelle Lodge, No. 250, I. O. O. F., and the Rebekahs. He is one of the prominent citizens of his township and has made many warm personal friends.
J. AUGUSTUS ROSTAT.
J. Augustus Rostat, a representative and successful agriculturist of Adair county, residing on section 17, Grand River township, has been identified with farming interests here for the past four decades and is now the owner of two hundred and forty acres of valuable land in Grand River and Lee townships. His birth occurred in Sweden on the 24th of March, 1853, his parents being Peter and Eliza (Jones) Rostat, who were also natives of that country. In 1862 they crossed the Atlantic
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to the United States, taking up their abode in Mereer county, Illinois, where the father worked at the carpenter's trade for two years. Subsequently they resided for some time in Burcau county, Illinois, but eventually returned to Mercer county, where their remaining days were spent. To them were born twelve children, six of whom still survive.
J. Augustus Rostat, who was a lad of nine years when brought to this country, attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education and spent the period of his minority under the parental roof. In 1875, when a young man of twenty-two years, he eame to Adair county, Iowa, and here cultivated a rented farm for about four years. On the expiration of that period he purchased a tract of sixty acres, which he operated for five years, then disposing of the property and buying one hundred and twenty aeres of his present home farm on seetion 17, Grand River township. He erected commodious and substantial buildings thereon, also planted a fine grove and later extended the boundaries of the place by an addi- tional purchase of eighty acres. Hc likewise owns a forty-acre tract in Lee town- ship, so that his holdings now embrace two hundred and forty aeres of rich and productive land. In connection with the production of cereals he makes a specialty of stoek-raising, both branches of his business yielding him a gratifying annual ineome. His present enviable sueeess is attributable entirely to his own efforts and his is the record of a self-made man which may be profitably considered by all who would win prosperity honorably and unaided.
In 1885 Mr. Rostat was united in marriage to Miss Sabra McKee, a native of Stark county, Ohio, and a daughter of David and Lueinda (Scofield) MeKee, the former born in Virginia and the latter in Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Rostat are the par- ents of four children, namely: Alma, who is the wife of C. W. Childs ; and Harvey, Flora and Lucile, all at home.
Mr. Rostat gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has ably served in the capacities of trustee and sehool director. His wife is a devoted and consistent member of the Congregational church. Both have become widely known and many attractive social characteristics and substantial qualities have gained them high and favorable regard.
JAMES N. LOWE.
James N. Lowe is one of the honored veterans of the Civil war and is a pub- lic-spirited citizen of Adair county, living on seetion 24, Jefferson township, where he owns and cultivates a good farm. He was born in Guilford county, North Caro- lina, in October, 1842, and his parents, William and Charity (Morgan) Lowe, were also natives of that state. The latter was a brother of John Morgan, who, crossing the river, made the raid into the state of Ohio. William Lowe devoted his life to general farming and in 1854 removed to Henry county, Indiana, where he rented land until 1861. That year witnessed his arrival in Adair county, Iowa, where he purchased forty acres in Jefferson township. With characteristic energy he began its development and continued its cultivation until 1872, when he sold that property and went to Jewell county, Kansas, where he entered land, which he improved and cultivated throughout his remaining days. He reached the venerable
JAMES N. LOWE AND DAUGHTER CATHERINE
MRS. JAMES N. LOWE
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age of eighty-nine years, passing away in 1905. His wife survived until October, 1914, and her age was ninety-nine years, four mouths and seven days at the time of her demise. There were eight children in the family: Dr. George N. Lowe, who died in 1904; Delilah, who became the wife of George Freeman and died in 1864; James N .; Martha, who became the second wife of George Freeman and died in 1900; Nancy, a resident of Winterset, Iowa, and the widow of Hamilton Leizure, who died in 1901; Thomas, a resident of Greeley, Colorado; Sarah, the wife of C. Lane, living at Greenfield, Iowa; and Jessie, who died in November, 1911.
James N. Lowe spent his youthful days in his native county and the public schools afforded him his educational opportunities. On attaining his majority he 'enlisted for service in the Civil war. Notwithstanding his parents were southern people, the sympathies of the family were with the north and in September, 1863, he joined the Fourth Indiana Battery, with which he served until the close of hostilities. He was one of those who marched with Sherman from Atlanta to the sea and he took part in notable engagements which led up to the final victory that crowned the Union arms.
In July, 1865, Mr. Lowe came to Adair county, where he was employed as a farm hand. He engaged in making hay and cutting wheat where the town of Stuart now stands, and there was no railroad in the vicinity at that time, the work of development and improvement having been carried forward to but a lim- ited extent. Mr. Lowe carefully saved his earnings, being desirous of engaging in business on his own account, and in 1868 he purchased eighty acres of land on sections 24 and 13, Jefferson township. He at once began to develop and improve the property and has remained thereon continuously since. He has also extended the boundaries of his farm by an additional purchase of eighty acres of land and today has one of the best improved places in the county. In 1864 he could have purchased a quarter section for a dollar and a half per acre and four years later he had to pay fifteen dollars per acre. He has always been an earnest worker and has placed no fictitious values upon opportunity, but has ever realized that industry and perseverance are the basis of success. Mr. Lowe makes a specialty of raising shorthorn and Polled Durham cattle and this branch of his business is proving profitable.
On the 5th of December, 1867, Mr. Lowe was united in marriage to Miss Susan Isley, a daughter of Barnett and Mary (Wolf) Isley, who were natives of Penn- sylvania and pioneers of Scott county, Iowa. In 1867 they came to Adair county, where the father purchased land and engaged in general farming for several years. In 1872 he removed to Nebraska, where he bought a farm, which he continued to cultivate throughout his remaining days, his life's labors being ended in death in 1911. For twenty years he had survived his wife, who passed away in 1891. Mr. and Mrs. Lowe became the parents of five children: Emma, who died in April, 1872. at the age of two years; Ida M., the wife of E. S. Easton, a resident of Boulder, Colorado; Lillie B., the wife of J. R. Peters, a farmer of Jefferson town- ship; Anna C., the wife of L. D. Whittum; and Dora E., the wife of George W. Little, a resident of Guthrie county, Iowa. The wife and mother passed away May 24, 1888, and in May, 1890, Mr. Lowe was again married, his second union being with Mary (Snyder) Woods, a daughter of George William and Catherine (Zimmerman) Snyder, who were natives of Ohio, where they spent their entire lives, the mother having passed away in 1872, while the father's death occurred in Vol. II-11
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1889. Two children have been born of the second marriage and Mrs. Lowe had one child by her former marriage, John L. Woods, who is now residing in Yorkton, Canada, at the age of thirty years. Her younger children are: William Leo, twenty- four years of age, now following farming in Jefferson township; and Catherine C., nine years of age, at home.
Mr. Lowe has always taken a deep and helpful interest in community affairs and cooperates heartily in many plans and measures for the general good. He served for ten years as sehool treasurer. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republie and to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, gives his political alle- gianee to the republican party and in religious faith is a Methodist. His life has been guided by high and honorable principles and his course has ever been a straight- forward one, eommending him to the confidenee and trust of his fellowmen, who recognize in him a man whose word is as good as his bond.
DENNIS L. WAMBOLD.
Dennis E. Wambold, successfully engaged in general agricultural pursuits, is the owner of one hundred and sixty aeres of rich and productive land on seetion 18, Grand River township. His birth occurred in Harrison township, this county, on the 7th of March, 1882, his parents being Henry S. and Anna (Lott) Wambold, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The father made his way to Cali- fornia in 1859, returned to the Keystone state in 1865 and a year later removed to Polk county, Iowa, where he was married in 1868. Four years later he and his wife took up their abode on a farm in Harrison township, Adair county, where the latter passed away in 1888, and where the former is still living. Henry S. Wambold has now been a resident of this county for forty-three years and has long enjoyed an enviable reputation as one of its representative agrieulturists and esteemed eitizens. His ten children are all living.
Dennis L. Wambold acquired his education in the common sehools and remained under the parental roof until twenty-three years of age, when he was married and established a home of his own in Harrison township, where he cultivated rented land for three years. On the expiration of that period he purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty aeres in Lee township and four years later traded the property for a traet of one hundred and sixty acres on seetion 18, Grand River township, which he improved and has operated continuously to the present time. In connection with the production of cereals he devotes considerable attention to rais- ing and feeding stoek, both branches of his business yielding him a gratifying annual ineome.
On January 17, 1905, Mr. Wambold was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Lydon. a native of Harrison township and a daughter of Thomas and Julia (MeQuaid) Lydon. The father, who was born in Ireland, emigrated to the United States when a youth of eighteen years, while the mother, a native of Illinois, eame to Iowa at an early day. They now make their home in Stuart, Guthrie county, this state. To Mr. and Mrs. Wambold have been born four children, namely: Florence G., who is deceased; Edward B .; Jessie A .; and Evelyn M.
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Mr. Wambold gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is now ably serving as president of the school board. His wife is a devout communicant of the Catholic church. They have always lived in Adair county and enjoy an extensive and favorable acquaintance here.
E. H. SULLIVAN.
E. H. Sullivan, one of the substantial agriculturists and most progressive and public-spirited citizens of Adair county, owns and operates an excellent farm of three hundred and sixty acres of valuable land on section 29, Jackson township, and has likewise long been an active factor in educational work. His birth occurred in Jackson township, this county, on the 23d of July, 1861, his parents being Jahu B. and Margaret J. (Roberts) Sullivan. He began his education in the district schools, later continued his studies at Fontanelle and subsequently attended Drake University for one term. When twenty years of age he began teaching and he taught four terms of school before abandoning the profession. His interest in educational work has continued unabated, however, and for thirty-one years he has served as secretary of the school board, making a most commendable record in that connection. In 1883 he began farming on his own account and in the intervening years has won a place among the substantial agriculturists of Jackson township, owning three hundred and sixty acres of Adair county's most valuable land. He is likewise a stockholder in the Bridgewater Savings Bank.
On the 13th of January, 1887, Mr. Sullivan was united in marriage to Miss Laura Stoner, of Adair county, by whom he had four children, all of whom have passed away. His political allegiance is given to the democracy and he has twice been the nominee of that party for the office of county superintendent of schools, while for seven years he acted as clerk of Jackson township. Both he and his wife are devoted members of the Church of Christ. Mr. Sullivan has ever been a broad reader and is well informed concerning the questions and issues of the day, keeping abreast with the trend of the times and always using his influence on the side of progress and advancement, especially along educational lines. His entire life has been spent in this county and he enjoys an enviable reputation as one of its valued and worthy native sons.
CHARLES H. OVERHOLT.
Charles H. Overholt, who owns and cultivates two hundred acres of land on sections 29 and 30, Grove township, has been successfully identified with general agricultural pursuits in Adair county during the past third of a century. His birth occurred in Livingston county, Illinois, on the 22d of December, 1855, his parents being J. S. R. and Susan K. (Hugus) Overholt, who in the year 1855 took up their abode in Illinois and spent the remainder of their lives in that state. Their seven children are all yet living.
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Charles H. Overholt attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education and remained under the parental roof until he was twenty-seven years of age. In 1882 he came to Adair county, Iowa, and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Grove township, while subsequently he bought an additional traet of forty acres, so that his farm now embraees two hundred aeres. He has ereeted substantial and modern buildings and has also enhanced the value of the property by making other improvements, the place now lacking none of the conven- iences and equipments of a model farm of the twentieth century. In connection with the cultivation of eereals he makes a specialty of raising and feeding stoek, which branch of his business adds materially to his annual ineome.
In 1884 Mr. Overholt was united in marriage to Miss Jennie M. Sparling, a native of Putnam county, Illinois, and a daughter of George and Sarah (MeClung) Sparling, both of whom are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Overholt have two children, namely: Ralph S., who is a college graduate and still lives with his parents; and Jennie S., who completed her studies by graduation in Greenfield and is now teach- ing sehool. Our subject and his wife have also reared and edueated a boy named Earl Dixon.
In his political views Mr. Overholt is a republican and for some years he has served in the eapacity of school director. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is one of the trustees alld to which his wife and children also belong. He enjoys a wide acquaintance in this county and has won uniform trust and goodwill by reason of a life which mi all of its phases has been straightforward and honorable.
PAUL HEUCKENDORF.
Paul Heuckendorf, a progressive and representative agriculturist residing on seetion 10, Richland township, is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land constituting one of the valuable farms of the county. His birth occurred in Mecklenburg. Germany, on the 30th of July, 1881. his parents being Henry and Lena (Schroeder) Henekendorf, who emigrated to the United States in 1891 and took up their abode in Adair county, Iowa. The father here followed farming for about twenty years, owning and cultivating two hundred and forty acres of land in Richland township. In the spring of 1914, however, he put aside the active work of the fields and removed to Fontanelle, where he has sinee lived retired in the enjoyment of well earned ease.
In the acquirement of an education Paul Heuekendorf attended the schools of his native land and following his emigration to the new world, when a lad of ten years, he continued his studies in the district schools for about three months. He was early obliged to provide for his own support, however, and his youth was largely a period of strenuous toil. In 1901, at the age of twenty years, he started out as an agriculturist on his own account by beginning the cultivation of rented land. Two years later he started upon a trip through the western states and spent two years in travel through the middle west, visiting eight or ten different states. In the fall of 1905 he returned to Adair county and on the 25th of February, 1906, wedded Miss Minnie May Dart, of Des Moines, Iowa. The young couple began
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their domestie life upon a rented farm in Jackson township, continuing to reside thereon for four years, while in March, 1910, Mr. Heuekendorf removed to his present home farm of one hundred and sixty aeres in Richland township, which he had purchased in July of the previous year. The property is now in a high state of cultivation and in its neat and thrifty appearance indicates the careful super- vision of a practical and progressive owner.
To Mr. and Mrs. Hueekendorf have been born six children, namely: Frieda, Hattie, Emma, Doris, Herbert and Harold. In his political views Mr. Henekendorf is a demoerat, supporting the men and measures of that party at the polls, while fra- ternally he is identified with the local organization of the Woodmen of the World. He warmly advocates all measures which pertain to the general welfare and progress and is recognized as one of the substantial and publie-spirited eitizens of the community.
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