USA > Iowa > Adair County > History of Adair County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 25
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The parents belong to the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mr. Varley is one of the trustees. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is now serving as a member of the board of township trustees and also on the school board, proving a most capable and trustworthy public official. Many of his warmest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood to the present time-a faet which indicates that his life has been well spent and that his strongest qualities are those which win respect and confidence.
CARL TILK.
Carl Tilk, who is successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits in Prussia town- ship, is a native of Germany. His birth occurred on the 4th of June, 1855, and he is a son of Mr. and Mrs. John Tilk, the former a weaver by occupation. Both parents passed away in the fatherland, the mother when our subject was but an infant and the father in 1905.
Carl Tilk received his education in Germany and on reaching mature years worked as a farm hand. He was so employed until he was twenty-eight years of age and then, in 1883. he emigrated to America. He first located in Ohio and there worked on farms by the month until 1893, when he came to Adair county, where he was employed as a farm hand until his marriage. He then removed to his wife's farm, which comprises eighty acres on section 2, Prussia township, and which he has since operated. He rents cighty aeres in addition and his well directed labor enables him to seeure a good income from the one hundred and sixty acres which he farms.
In 1895 occurred the marriage of Mr. Tilk and Mrs. Emma (Motschmann) Bitner, a daughter of John and Dorothea Motschmann, both natives of Germany, who passed their entire lives in that country. The mother died in 1895 and the father in 1908. Mr. and Mrs. Tilk have three children, William, John and Carl. Mrs. Tilk was first married to John Bitner, who was born in Illinois but came to Adair county, Iowa, with his parents when a child. He grew to manhood here and on beginning his independent carcer decided to devote his life to agricultural pur-
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suits, which he followed until his demise in 1890 when but forty years of age. To him and his wife were born a son and daughter. Henry W. Bitner, who resides with his mother and stepfather, was born upon the homestead and was reared and educated in Prussia township. After finishing school he learned the carpenter's trade, which he has sinee followed. He is an excellent workman and has been very successful in his chosen occupation. The daughter, Margaret, is now the wife of Carl Mangles, a farmer of Grove township.
Mr. Tilk gives his political allegianee to the democratie party and his religious faith is indicated in the fact that he holds membership in the German Lutheran church. There has never been the slightest question as to his integrity and probity, and his genuine worth has gained him the respect of all with whom he has come in contact, and the friendship of many.
ALEXANDER THARP.
Since 1901 Alexander Tharp has lived in Adair county, his home being situated in Eureka township. He was born in Morgan county, Indiana, April 3, 1862, a son of Robert and Mary Jane ( Hutcheson) Tharp. His father was a native of Martin county, Indiana, and was of English descent. The mother was born in Morgan county, Indiana, and was a representative of one of the old American families. The year 1866 witnessed their arrival in Iowa, at which time they took up their abode in Guthrie county, eighteen miles north of the present home of Alexander Tharp. The father cultivated a rented farm for a time and afterward purchased property upon which he still resides. His wife, however, has passed away, her death occurring on the old homestead, on the 29th of January, 1914.
The usual experiences of the farm lad fell to the lot of Alexander Tharp, who in his youthful days attended the public schools and in the periods of vacation worked in the fields, gaining intimate knowledge of all lines of farm work. When nineteen years of age he began work as a farm hand and was thus employed until he reached the age of twenty-two years, when he was married and began farming on his own account, cultivating rented land for four or five years. This was in Guthrie county. It was his hope to own property some day and he bent his energies to gaining a sum sufficient to enable him to carry out this purpose. Ultimately he purchased a farm on which he lived for twelve years, at the end of which time he sold out and removed to Adair county, where he took up his abode in 1901. purchasing one hundred and sixty aeres in Eureka township. Later he bought forty aeres on the west side of the road, so that he now owns two hundred aeres of rich and productive land that responds readily to the care and cultivation bestowed upon it. He annually harvests good erops, for he utilizes practical and progressive methods in cultivating his fields and he also raises good grades of cattle and hogs, making a specialty of Herefords and Duroe-Jerseys. He raises mainly corn, although he also cultivates other cereals.
On the 5th of January, 1887, Mr. Tharp was united in marriage to Miss Hattie M. Boblett, who died on the 22d of May, 1889, leaving a son, Robert J., who was born December 2, 1888, and is now a farmer of Eureka township. He married Edith Moore and they have one child, Helen, who was born October 16, 1912. On the
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9th of March. 1891, Mr. Tharp was again married, his second union being with Miss Jane M. Boblett, a sister of his former wife. She passed away August 15, 1892, and on the 21st of June, 1896, Mr. Tharp wedded Miss Ida A. Hemphill, of Prussia township, a daughter of James and Ellen Hemphill. They have two children: Glen A., who was born February 12, 1898, and is now upon the home farm; and Verva May, who was born July 26, 1903.
The parents are members of the United Brethren church and their religious belief is a strong feature in shaping their lives. In his political views Mr. Tharp is a republican and is conversant with the leading points and issues which divide the two great parties. He has filled the office of township trustee of Eureka township, being called to that position by appointment. He served for a half term in that way and was then elected for two terms, at the end of which time he refused to continue longer in that position. He has served on the board of directors of the school district and as president of the township board. He is never neglectful of the duties of citizenship and gives active aid and support to many measures which are instituted for the benefit and welfare of the community.
CHRIS S. MENSING.
Chris S. Mensing owns one hundred and sixty acres of fine land on section 3, Prussia township, and the excellent condition in which everything about the place is kept testifies to his energy and good management. A native of Germany, he was I:orn May 1, 1860, of the marriage of Chris and Dora (Henrichs) Mensing. Both parents were born in Germany and the mother passed away in that country in 1903 when seventy-two years of age. The father, who has devoted his life to agricultural pursuits, is still living in Germany at the age of eighty-four years.
Chris S. Mensing grew to manhood in the fatherland and there received his education. In his youth he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed in his native land until he was twenty-eight years of age, when he crossed the Atlantic to the new world and made his way to Rockwell City, Calhoun county, Iowa. There he worked at his trade for three or four years and during that period was also employed as a farm hand for some time. In the spring of 1895 he came to Adair county and operated a rented farm for five years, after which he purchased that place, which comprised one hundred and sixty acres on section 3, Prussia township, and he has since given his undivided attention to the cultivation of his land. He carries on general farming and stock-raising. specializing in breeding full blooded Chester White hogs. He formerly also raised Red Polled cattle. He owns stock in the Farmers Lumber Company at Casey, Iowa, and is one of the well-to-do residents of his township.
Mr. Mensing was married in December, 1882. to Miss Emma Blaas, who is a daughter of Hans and Ann (Bromm) Blaas. natives of Germany. The father was a hotel keeper and passed his entire life in the fatherland. Both he and his wife are deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Mensing have been born eight children: August, Chris, Dora, Minnie, John, Elmer, Amanda and Willic.
Mr. Mensing, who is a stalwart democrat. has taken an active part in political affairs and has served as justice of the peace, as school director and as school
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treasurer. He and his family belong to the German Lutheran church, in whose faith he was reared. In all relations of life his conduct measures up to high standards and he commands the unqualified respect of all who have been brought into contact with him.
ISAAC BROWN.
Indefatigable energy and wise management have been the secret of the success which has come to Isaac Brown in the conduct of his farming interests. He makes his home on section 18, Eureka township, and has been a resident of Adair county for eight years. He was born in Bloomfield, New Jersey, October 31, 1850, a son of John and Sarah (Andrews) Brown, both of whom were natives of England, whence they came to America following their marriage. The father was a hatter by trade and after taking up his abode in Newark, New Jersey, in 1848, he there continned to work at his trade until 1855, when he removed to Grundy county, Illinois, where he purchased land and engaged in farming until his death in 1866. Mrs. Brown continued her residence in Grundy county until she too was called to her final rest in 1908.
Isaac Brown went with his parents to Illinois and there attended school and worked upon the home farm, giving his mother the benefit of his services until he reached his majority. He then rented a farm in Kendall county, Illinois, operating it on shares for one year. At the end of that time he returned home, remaining with his mother and farming land for neighbors for five years. During the succeeding twenty years he was in the employ of Cryder Collins, a very prominent farmer of Saratoga township, Grundy county, Illinois, who owned extensive tracts of land. Mr. Brown then leased for ten years one of the Collins tracts, broke the raw prairie, tiled the land, developed and cultivated the fields but lived thereon for fifteen years. His entire life has been devoted to general agricultural pursuits and there is no phase of farm work which is not familiar to him.
On the 1st of March, 1907, Mr. Brown came to Adair county and purchased two hundred acres of land where he now lives on section 18, Eureka township. Eight years prior to this time he had purchased two hundred and forty acres not far distant. He now rents the latter tract but personally cultivates his home place, on which he has made extensive improvements until today he is the owner of one of the best farms of the township. It constitutes an attractive feature of the landscape with its commo- dious and substantial buildings, its carefully cultivated fields, its well kept fences and its modern farm machinery. In addition to raising grain he feeds cattle and hogs and has a fine herd of Angus cattle, all full blooded and eligible to registration. He is likewise a stockholder in the Berea Horse Company, which owns stables in the village of Berea, where they keep a fine Percheron stallion and two Mammoth jacks.
On the 13th of April, 1890, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Brown and Miss Anna Nelson, a daughter of Hogen and Bertha (Johnson) Nelson, both of whom were natives of Norway. The father was a farmer by occupation and after living for some time in Illinois they removed to Wright county, Iowa, where the death of Mrs. Nelson occurred. To Mr. and Mrs. Brown have been born three children.
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Ermine Mabel, who was born March 8, 1892, was graduated from the Anita high school with the class of 1911 and from Drake University in 1915, and is now prin- eipal of the high school at Neola. Ethel M., born June 17, 1897, completed the high-school course at Anita in 1915. Isaae Engene, born June 22, 1902, is attending school in the home district.
Mr. Brown votes with the republican party. He supports the Methodist Epis- copal church and his influence is on the side of reform, progress and improvement. His business interests have been wisely conducted and have become extensive. He is now at the head of farming and stock-raising interests of extensive proportions and is one of the leading representatives of his line of activity in Adair county. He studies modern conditions, is acquainted with the results of scientifie investigation of all farm work and direets his efforts in a most sagacious manner, with the result that an excellent financial return is secured.
JAHU B. SULLIVAN.
Jahu B. Sullivan, one of the leading and best known citizens of Bridgewater, where he has lived retired for the past ten years, has been a resident of Adair county for more than six decades and still holds title to eleven hundred aeres of valuable land in Jackson and Washington townships. His birth ocenrred in Monroe county, Indiana, on the 11th of November, 1836. His parents, Henry S. and Sarah (Hunter) Sullivan, removed from Kentucky to Indiana at an early day and were among the first settlers of Monroe county, loeating there when bears and panthers were still plentiful in the timber. There they spent the remainder of their lives and are buried on the old home farm. The father died when our subjeet was a child of less than three years and his mother's death ocenrred when he was but eleven. He was then placed in the home of Jehn Bnekner, a neighboring farmer, with whom he remained about two and one-half years or until an older brother, John P. Sullivan, who was the guardian of the family, was married. In · the latter's home he was taken, together with his brother, M. S., and there he grew to manhood. His edneation was acquired in the pioneer subscription schools and in the later public schools of his district. Only two of a family of twelve children still survive, namely: John P., who now resides in Logan, Kansas ; and Jahn B., of this review. The former is a veteran of the Mexican war, serving throughout the entire period of hostilities. Two other brothers also enlisted. but peace was deelared ere their commands reached the front.
In the summer of 1852, when not yet sixteen years of age, Jahn B. Sullivan became a wage earner, working in a brickyard at Bloomington, Indiana, while during the following summer he was employed by the month as a farm hand. In the fall of 1853, accompanied by two brothers, John P. and M. S., and a sister-in-law who was the widow of another brother, William H., he came by wagon to Iowa. The parents of his sister-in-law lived in Clarke county and there the party of immigrants stopped, Jahu B. Sullivan there spending the winter and the following summer. In the fall of 1854 he came to Adair county and soon after his arrival purchased one hundred aeres of government land on seetion 33, Jackson township,
JAHU B. SULLIVAN
MRS. JAHU B. SULLIVAN
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and forty acres in Washington township, at a dollar and a quarter per acre. He did not locate on the land, however, until the fall of 1856, working during the summer of 1855 for his brothers, T. H. and E. B. The former came to Iowa in the fall of 1854 and was joined by Jahu B. in Clarke county, while E. B. arrived in this state in the spring of 1855.
During the summer of 1856 Jahu B. Sullivan worked for Joe Dunlap in Wash- ington township and on the 16th of October following wedded Miss Margaret Jane Roberts, who had removed from Indiana to Clarke county, Iowa, in the spring of 1851. Following their marriage the young couple began their domestic life in Adair county, Mr. Sullivan building a log cabin on his government tract, and here it was that he spent many of the happiest years of his life. From time to time he acquired more land and with the obligation to pay came the ambition and effort to meet that obligation, the result being that he now holds title to eleven hundred acres of Adair county's most valuable land, located in Jackson and Washington townships. In 1905, however, he put aside the active work of the fields and took up his abode in Bridgewater, where he has lived in honorable retirement during the past decade. While Mr. Sullivan still holds title to his land, his sons and daughters have been placed on various farms with the understanding that they are to inherit the property. They retain all that they raise and in fact possess all except the deed to the land.
On the 22d of September, 1913, Mr. Sullivan was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife. His children are: E. H., O. J., P. P., all of this county; Ida Bell, the wife of Frank Stoner of Adair county ; and Mary Ann, the wife of George Stoner of Garnett, Kansas.
Mr. Sullivan's political views are in accord with the principles of the democratic party and for many years he held various township offices, ever discharging the duties devolving upon him in a most prompt and capable manner. He has been a member of the Christian church for many years and has long held office therein, being now one of the elders. He is in the seventy-ninth year of his age and his career has ever been such that he can look back over the past without regret and forward to the future without fear.
HENRY W. STELLING.
Henry W. Stelling, who is meeting with gratifying success as a farmer and who owns a quarter section of excellent land in Prussia township, is a native of Germany. He was born on the 10th of September, 1848. and is a son of Henry and Catherine ( Rehm) Stelling, also natives of the fatherland. The father followed agricultural pursuits. He passed away in Germany in 1868 but the mother survived until 1885.
Henry W. Stelling was reared in his native land and there received his educa- tion. He worked as a farm hand for some time, but when twenty-two years old. or in 1870, emigrated to the United States. For eight years he resided in New York city and there worked in the employ of the street car company. At the end of that time he made his way westward and located in Adair county, Iowa. He worked for others for a year after coming to this county, but at the expiration of that period purchased eighty acres of land on section 2, Prussia township, which he operated Vol. 11-13
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for about twenty-eight years. He then sold that place and purchased his present farm of one hundred and sixty aeres on seetion 11, Prussia township, which he has sinee improved and developed. He is energetie and industrious and his well directed labors yield him a good ineome annually.
On the 17th of October. 1881, Mr. Stelling was united in marriage to Miss Sophia Motschmann, a daughter of John and Dorothy Motschmann, who passed their entire lives in Germany. The mother died in 1895. To Mr. and Mrs. Stelling have been born eight children. namely: Maggie, who died in 1908; John and Dora. at home: Lizzie, who died in 1910; William, who is farming in this county; and Mary. Lena and Fred. at home.
Mr. Stelling supports the democratie party at the polls and is a loyal worker in its behalf. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the German Lutheran church and all movements seeking the moral betterment of his community receive his hearty cooperation.
WILLARD W. MORGAN.
Willard W. Morgan, who owns three hundred and twenty aeres of fine land on seetions 16 and 21, Prussia township, is one of the substantial men of his locality and is well and favorably known throughout Adair county. He was born in Nodaway county. Missouri, August 6, 1867. and is a son of William W. and Jane A. (Pieree) Morgan. an account of whose lives appears in the sketch of W. H. Morgan. Our subjeet. who was reared and educated in this county, as he was but a small child when the family removed here. remained under the parental roof until he was of age and then began his independent business career. renting land, which he operated for six and a half years. At the end of that time he purchased one hundred and sixty acres on section 16, Prussia township, and began the improvement of his place at onee. Later he bought additional land and now owns three hundred and twenty acres on sections 16 and 21, to the cultivation of which he devotes his time. He has resided upon his farm for eighteen years with the exception of two years, which he spent in Oskaloosa, Iowa. where he engaged in the coal business and where he was also connceted with a brick factory. He follows up-to-date methods in farming and his well directed efforts yield him a handsome income annually. In addition to general farming he carries on stock-raising and feeds about two earloads of cattle per year. He is also a stockholder in the Odd Fellows building at Fontanelle.
Mr. Morgan was married on the 20th of October, 1890. to Miss Ida A. Rice, a daughter of Wilbur and Lavilla (Seott) Rice, natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Adair county, Iowa, in 1899 from Monroe, this state. The father purchased land which his sons cultivated, while he followed the blacksmith's trade. During the Civil war he served at the front for a year as a member of an Illinois volunteer regiment. He passed away on the 6th of December, 1901, but is survived by his widow, who makes her home at Wiota, Cass county. Mr. and Mrs. Morgan are the parents of nine children, namely: Fred, who was born July 10. 1891 ; Grace, born February 4, 1891, and who is now the wife of Charles Rhodes, of Fontanelle; Goldie, born December 6, 1895, who gave her hand in marriage to William Haughenberry, a farmer of Prussia township; Elsie, born December 4, 1897; Elmer, September 5,
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1900; Lyman, September 22, 1903; Violet, February 5, 1907; and Irene and Inez, twins, November 14, 1910.
The republican party has a loyal and consistent supporter in Mr. Morgan and he has served as chairman of the township committee of that party. He has also been a school director and takes a great deal of interest in the welfare of the public schools. His religious faith is that of the Methodist church and fraternally he belongs to the Odd Fellows lodge at Fontanelle. He is recognized as an efficient and enterprising agriculturist and as a good citizen, and all who know him respect him highly.
FRANCIS LUTHER FRITZ.
Francis Luther Fritz, a well known and successful farmer and stock-raiser of section 20, Prussia township, was born in Cedar county, Iowa, on the 2d of July, 1858. His parents, Ludwick and Sarah (Wert) Fritz, were born respectively in Pennsylvania of German ancestry and in Ohio of Yankee stock. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, removed to Cedar county, Iowa, in the early '50s and there purchased land, which he cultivated until he removed with his family to Madison county, where he continued to follow agricultural pursuits until his demise, which occurred on Christmas Day, 1892. His wife passed away in that county in June, 1895. They were the parents of eight children, namely: Francis Luther; David W., deceased ; John, a resident of Cass county, Iowa; Joseph, who is living in South Dakota; Mary, who resides in Colorado; Edmund, of Winterset, Iowa; Allie, a resident of Nebraska ; and Clarence, who lives near Menlo, Iowa.
Francis Luther Fritz was educated in the common schools of Cedar and Madison counties, this state, and remained at home, assisting with the work of the farm, until he was twenty-two years of age. He then rented land in Madison county, which he operated on his own account until 1882. In that year he removed to Adair county and rented land here until 1894, when he purchased his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 20, Prussia township. He has since resided upon that place and has made all the improvements thereon, remodeling the residence, building barns and outbuildings and planting trees, all of which has greatly enhanced the value of the place. He carries on general farming and is meeting with gratifying success in that connection. He also breeds full blooded Poland China hogs and high grade cattle and horses and each year feeds many head of hogs which he sells to the shippers.
Mr. Fritz was married in March, 1892, to Miss Sarah Pope, a daughter of Eli- phalet and Prudence (Shaver) Pope, natives, respectively, of New York and of Pennsylvania. The father removed to Wisconsin in an early day in the history of that state and there taught school for a number of years. Subsequently he went to Henry County, Illinois, locating at Oxford, where he continued to follow the profes- sion of teaching until 1883. In that year he came to Adair county, Iowa, and pur- chased eighty acres of land in Prussia township. During the first two winters after his arrival here he taught country school but at the end of that time concentrated his entire attention upon the cultivation of his land. In 1907 he retired from active life and removed to Fontanelle, where he resided until his demise in March, 1910.
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