USA > Iowa > Adair County > History of Adair County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 4
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Mr. Ward gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has served in the capacity of school director, the cause of education ever finding in him a stanch champion. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to Lodge No. 138, A. F. & A. M. As a citizen of Adair county he has assisted to the extent of his ability in advancing its interests and may be depended upon to give his support to every measure that will promote the public good.
JOHN ROBERTS.
Farming interests in Harrison township find a well known and worthy repre- sentative in John Roberts, who is living on section 26. He was born in Indiana on the 11th of May. 1836, his parents being James and Nancy (Dickens) Roberts, both of whom were natives of Kentucky. They were probably married in that state and subsequently removed to Indiana, where they remained until 1854, when they started across the country with two yoke of oxen and a two horse team, with Kansas as their destination. On reaching Nodaway county, Missouri, however, the wife and mother died and the emigrant train, consisting of the father and his family, three uneles and a brother-in-law, with their families, diverted their course and came north into Iowa with the intention of going to Boone county. On reaching Adair county, however, they decided to locate here and the five families took up their abode in Harrison township, where James Roberts spent his remaining days, passing away at the ripe old age of eighty-two years.
John Roberts was a youth of eighteen years when the family came to Adair county. He had attended the district schools of Indiana and he had not only learned from books but had also gained many valuable lessons from the school of experience. After coming to Iowa he assisted in the development and improvement of the home farm, remaining with his father up to the time of his marriage, which was celebrated September 20, 1860, Miss Emily McDonald becoming his wife. The young couple began their domestic life upon a traet of rented land and for about five years he cultivated the farm upon which he now resides. At the end of that time he bought eighty acres in Grand River township, on which he continued to make his home for nineteen years and which he still owns, having in the meantime brought it to a high
MR. AND MRS. JOHN ROBERTS
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HISTORY OF ADAIR COUNTY
state of development and improvement. In 1888 he removed to his present place in Harrison township. This farm of two hundred acres belongs to his wife and was entered from the government by her father, William McDonald, who came to Adair county from Missouri in 1851, being the first settler in this section of the country, his nearest neighbor at that time being ten miles distant. William McDonald lived and died in the home which is now occupied by Mr. Roberts, passing away in his eighty-third year. This house is the original log cabin built by Mr. McDonald when he came to the county and is the oldest residence in the county. It bears little resemblance to the original building, however, for it has been weather boarded and various additions have been made, transforming it into a more modern home. Mrs. Roberts is probably the oldest resident in the county in point of continuous resi- dence here.
To Mr. and Mrs. Roberts have been born seven children: James W., who fol- lows farming in Grand River township; Charles F., of Clay county, South Dakota; Leonard, who farms in Grand River township; Mary Almina, the wife of Elmer Beeman, of Harrison township; Thomas A., a resident of Morton county, North Dakota; Josiah B., who lives in Guthrie county, Iowa; and John I., at home.
Mr. Roberts votes with the republican party. He came to his majority about the time the party was formed and he has always been an advocate of its principles. He served for several years as township trustee and at an early period was school director. He and his wife are of the Christian faith but advanced age has made it almost impossible for them to drive to town to attend worship. They have long been highly esteemed residents of the community-people of genuine worth whose good qualities of heart and mind have endeared them to many. Mr. Roberts is now in the eightieth year of his age and such has been the course that he has followed that he can look back over the past without regret and forward to the future with- out fear.
CHARLES WEINHEIMER.
Charles Weinheimer, a substantial agriculturist and representative citizen of Adair county, within the borders of which he has resided for more than thirty years, owns and operates a well improved farm comprising one hundred and sixty acres on section 29, Summerset township. His birth occurred in Bureau county, Illinois, on the 18th of June, 1870, his parents being Fritz and Elizabeth (Decker) Wein- heimer, both of whom were natives of Germany. They emigrated to the United States as young people and located first in Bureau county, Illinois, while in 1884 they took up their abode on a farm in Adair county, Iowa. Here the father success- fully carried on agricultural pursuits until called to his final rest in April, 1912, his death being the occasion of deep and widespread regret throughout the com- munity. His widow, who survives, also enjoys an extensive and favorable acquaint- ance here. They became the parents of eight children, all of whom make their home in Adair county.
Charles Weinheimer was a youth of fourteen when he came to this county with his parents and his education was acquired in the common schools. He continued working for his father on the home farm until two years after he had attained
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HISTORY OF ADAIR COUNTY
his majority and subsequently spent one year in the dairy business in Chicago. On the expiration of that period he purchased his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Summerset township, the operation of which has claimed his time and energies continuously since. He has erected substantial and commodious build- ings on the property and also owns a half interest in the old homestead place of one hundred and twenty acres. In connection with the cultivation of cereals he makes a specialty of the raising of hogs, both branches of his business proving profitable under his able management.
In 1896 Mr. Weinheimer was united in marriage to Miss Maggie Leuthauser, a native of Adair county, Iowa, and a daughter of J. N. and Anna (Wademeyer) Lenthauser, both of whom were born.in Germany. The former crossed the Atlantic to the new world in an early day, first settling in Bureau county, Illinois, and subsequently in Adair county, Iowa, being here married. To him and his wife, who are yet living, have been born nine children, all of whom survive. Mr. and Mrs. Weinheimer have become the parents of three children, as follows: Fredericka E. and Carl H., both at home; and one who died in infancy.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Weinheimer has sup- ported the men and measures of the republican party, but he has never sought nor desired the honors and emoluments of office as a reward for his fealty. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the German Lutheran church, to which his wife also belongs. In all the relations of life he has been true to high principles of manhood, and his salient characteristics are such as have won for him the honor, respect and goodwill of his fellowmen.
ANTON LAMBI.
Anton Lambi, who owns an excellent farm of two hundred and eighty acres in Jackson township, is a native of Germany, born March 21, 1847, of the marriage of Philip and Christina (Frai) Lambi, both of whom were born in the fatherland. In 1865 the family emigrated to America and for a year they made their home in New York city. At the end of that time they decided to take advantage of the west and removed to Bureau county, Illinois, settling upon a farm there. Both parents continued to reside in that county until their deaths. They were the parents of six children, three of whom are living.
Anton Lambi remained under the parental roof until he was twenty-four years of age and then rented land, which he farmed for five years. In 1879 he came to this county and purchased the two hundred and eighty aere farm in Jackson township where he still resides. He has erected a number of excellent buildings, planted a fine grove and otherwise improved the place. He has followed general farming and stock-raising and has so wisely managed his affairs that he has gained a competenee which insures him of the comforts of life.
In 1876 Mr. Lambi married Miss Clara Sehreiver, a native of Germany, and to their union were born four children, two of whom are deccased. Those living are Stephen, of this county; and Elizabeth, now Mrs. Jacob Beitz. The wife and mother died in 1879 and in 1881 Mr. Lambi was married to Miss Katherine Burg, who was born in Lee county, Illinois, of the marriage of Conrad and Katherine
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HISTORY OF ADAIR COUNTY
(Keizer) Burg, both natives of Germany. They came to America in 1851 and settled in Lee county, Illinois, where the demise of the father occurred. The mother passed away in this county. Mrs. Lambi is one of a family of eleven children, seven of whom survive. By her marriage she has become the mother of eight chil- dren: Anna, at home; Julia; Frederick; Jacob; Katherine; Frank; and two who are deceased.
Mr. Lambi is a republican and has filled the offices of road supervisor and school director. Both he and his wife are communicants of the Roman Catholic church and aid in carrying on the work of that organization. When they began their married life they were in limited financial circumstances but by means of continued and well directed labor they have gained a gratifying measure of material prosperity. They also have the respect and goodwill of those who come in contact with them, for they have many admirable traits of character.
J. E. REIS.
The excellent condition of his farm of two hundred and forty-nine aeres in Jackson township bears witness to the energy and good management of J. E. Reis, who was born in Lee county, Illinois, September 3, 1868. Extended mention of his parents, George and Margaret Reis, appears elsewhere in this work.
Our subject remained under the parental roof during the period of his minority and on beginning his independent career he decided to follow the occupation to which he had been reared and purchased two hundred and forty-nine acres of land on section 19, Jackson township. He has since given his time to the operation and improvement of that farm and has erected a number of fine buildings. He raises a large number of hogs annually for the market and also grows the usual grains. His labor yields him a good financial return and his farm is one of the valuable properties of his locality. He also owns stock in the Fontanelle Lumber Company and in the Farmers Bank of that town.
Mr. Reis casts his ballot in support of the principles and candidates of the democratic party but has never desired to hold office. His religious faith is that of the Roman Catholic church. His life has been one of well directed industry and the success which he has achieved is well deserved. In gaining his prosperity he has at no time resorted to questionable business methods, and his integrity and up- rightness have won him the confidence and esteem of all who have been associated with him.
WILLIAM I. SULLIVAN.
William I. Sullivan is engaged in general farming in Summerset township and is making a specialty of the raising of hogs, which branch of his business is proving satisfactorily profitable. He was born in Washington township, Adair county, Iowa, April 13, 1860, a son of T. H. and Christina Sullivan, mention of whom is made in connection with the sketch of his brother, Jay Sullivan, on another page of this
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HISTORY OF ADAIR COUNTY
work. He remained at home until he attained his majority and then began farming on his own account by renting land for a number of years. During this period he earefully saved his earnings and thus became enabled to purchase a part of the old homestead, acquiring the ownership of eighty acres, which he has splendidly improved since that time. He cultivates his farm according to the most modern methods and has an excellent equipment for stock-raising, making a specialty of hogs. The stoek which he raises is of high grade and brings gratifying prices when placed upon the market.
On September 9. 1883. Mr. Sullivan was united in marriage to Miss Ollie Odle, a native of Missouri and a daughter of James C. and Christianna (Tartar) Odle, both of whom were natives of Illinois. They went to Missouri at an early day and afterward the mother passed away in Kansas, but the father survives and now makes his home in Colorado. Mrs. Sullivan is one of a family of nine children, of whom six are yet living, and by her marriage she has become the mother of three children: Alta C., now the wife of O. E. Heacock of Waurika, Oklahoma; Crissie M., the wife of Warren Goodman of Greenfield, Iowa ; and Velma W., the wife of A. E. Brown of this county.
The parents are members of the Christian church of Fontanelle, Iowa, and Mr. Sullivan holds membership in the Odd Fellows lodge at Fontanelle. His political allegianee is given to the demceratie party, and although he does not seek nor desire office, he is interested in all that pertains to the publie welfare. His has been an active career, erowned with a substantial measure of success. His entire life has been passed in Adair county and among his acquaintances-and they are many - he is held in the highest esteem.
GEORGE S. BENNETT.
George S. Bennett, who is now living retired in Greenfield, has been a resident of Adair county for the past three deeades and has been long and suceessfully identified with agricultural pursuits here. His birth oceurred in Kane county, Illinois, on the 13th of December, 1814, his parents being Richard and Electa (Hitchcock) Bennett, both of whom were natives of New York. In the year 1844 they removed westward to Illinois, first locating in Kane county and subsequently in Stark county, that state. In 1848 they took up their abode on a farm in Wapello county, Iowa, but later disposed of the property and removed to Keokuk county, where they spent the remainder of their lives. They became the parents of seven children, all of whom are yet living.
George S. Bennett acquired a common-school education in his youth and when nineteen years of age enlisted for service in the Civil war as a member of Company F, Thirty-third Iowa Volunteer Infantry, remaining with that command for eighteen months. He participated in the battle of Spanish Fort, which continued for thirteen days and nights. and fortunately eseaped injury, although often in the thickest of the fight and never faltering in the performance of any task assigned him. After being mustered out at Davenport he returned to the parental roof, remaining with his father until twenty-four years of age, when he was married and established a home of his own. In 1885 he came to Adair county, purchasing a farm of one
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HISTORY OF ADAIR COUNTY
hundred and forty acres in Richland township which he operated continuously and successfully for twenty-two years. On the expiration of that period he disposed of the property and bought a quarter section of land in Orient township, which is still in his possession and is a highly improved, productive and valuable tract. At the present time, however, he is living retired in Greenfield, enjoying the fruits of his former toil in well earned ease.
Mr. Bennett has been married twice. His first wife bore the maiden name of Mary Sunderland, was a native of Jefferson county, Iowa, and a daughter of William and Matilda Sunderland. By this union there were five children, as follows: Wil- liam S., who is a resident of Adair county; Elizabeth B., the wife of J. N. Caps; Earl S., living in this county ; James A., who makes his home in Rock Island county, Illinois ; and Matilda, deceased. The wife and mother passed away on the 8th of August, 1890, and in 1892 Mr. Bennett was again married, his second union being with Miss Margaretta Patterson, a native of New York and a daughter of R. C. and Elizabeth (Stewart) Patterson. Her parents, natives of Pennsylvania, were resi- dents of the Empire state for some time but subsequently removed to Warren, Illi- nois, and there spent the remainder of their lives. To them were born six children, all of whom yet survive. Mrs. Bennett is a woman of liberal education who followed the profession of teaching for twenty years.
In his political views Mr. Bennett is a stalwart republican, exercising his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of that party. He has acted as school director and road supervisor of his township and has proved an able and faithful public servant. He still maintains pleasant relations with his old soldier comrades as a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and in matters of citizen- ship has ever been as loyal to his country as when he followed the stars and stripes on the battlefields of the south. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett attend the services of the Presbyterian church, are widely recognized as people of genuine personal worth and upright, honorable lives and enjoy the friendship and regard of all who know them.
C. W. STEWARD.
C. W. Steward is a representative and successful agriculturist of Adair county, owning and operating a valuable farm comprising two hundred and two acres on section 13, Washington township. His birth occurred in Bureau county, Illinois, on the 22d of July, 1868, his parents being H. C. and Sarah (Saffer) Steward, the former a native of Maine and the latter of Ohio. They were married in Illinois and in 1871 took up their abode on a farm in Adair county, Iowa. Both survive, now making their home in Greenfield. The period of their residence in this county covers forty-four years and they have won an extensive and favorable acquaintance within its borders.
C. W. Steward was but three years of age when brought to Adair county by his parents and here he has remained continuously to the present time. He attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education and remained under the parental roof until he was married and established a home of his own. He pur- chased a farm of two hundred and two acres on section 13, Washington township, and has since been busily engaged in its cultivation and improvement, erecting good
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HISTORY OF ADAIR COUNTY
buildings for the shelter of grain and stock and enhancing its value in other ways. In connection with the production of cereals hic devotes considerable attention to live stock, raising and feeding stock of all kinds. In addition to his home farm he owns ten acres of land in Florida. His undertakings as an agriculturist have been attended with a well merited measure of success and he is widely recognized as one of the substantial and enterprising citizens of this county.
In 1897 Mr. Steward was united in marriage to Miss Carla Chaney, a native of Adair county, Iowa, and a daughter of Charles and Elizabeth (Brown) Chaney, both of whom are deceased. To our subject and his wife have been born five chil- dren, namely: Reba M., Sarah I., Charles William, Horatio C. and Wilbur A.
Sinee age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Steward has supported the men and measures of the republican party and he has done effective work as a publie servant in the capacity of school director, supervisor, trustee and assessor. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is serving as a trustee and to which his wife and children also belong. He has spent nearly his entire life in this county, and that his career has ever been upright and honorable is indicated in the fact that the associates of his boyhood and youth are still numbered among his staneh friends and admirers.
CHARLES C. EVANS.
Charles C. Evans, a retired agriculturist and honored Civil war veteran of Adair county, has lived in Summerset township for the past half century and his present farm, which comprises one hundred and sixty aeres on seetion 17, has been his home for about forty-seven years. His birth occurred in Evans Mills, New York, on the 29th of June, 1827, his parents being Amos and Sarah (Brown) Evans, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of New York. Both passed away in the Empire state. To them were born seven children, two of whom survive.
Charles C. Evans attended the common schools in the acquirement of an educa- tion and remained at home until twenty-eight years of age. He then removed west- ward to Livingston county, Illinois, and there carried on farming until the time of his enlistment for service in the Union army as a member of Company K, Fifty- ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which command he remained for two years. He participated in the battles of Franklin and Nashville, Tennessee, and though often in the thickest of the fight, was fortunate in that he escaped even the slightest injury. He was mustered ont at Nashville on the 17th of June, 1865, and then came to Adair county, Iowa, purchasing the tract of one hundred and sixty acres in Summerset township on which he has resided continuously sinec. He developed the raw prairie into a productive and valuable farm, erected thereon substantial and commodious buildings and planted a fine grove of maple trees some of which are now three feet in diameter. Mr. Evans taps the trees and makes an excellent quality of maple syrup. The active work of the fields, however, has been relegated to others and he is now practically spending the evening of life in well earned ease, enjoying the competenee which has come through the wise and able dircetion of his interests in former years.
CHARLES C. EVANS
MRS. CHARLES C. EVANS
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HISTORY OF ADAIR COUNTY
In 1867 Mr. Evans was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A. Miller, a native of Ohio and a daughter of George and Maria (Histe) Miller, who were also born in the Buckeye state. They came to Iowa in August, 1858, purchasing land in Sum- merset township, Adair county, where they continued to reside during the remainder of their lives. They became the parents of eight children, five of whom are still living. To Mr. and Mrs. Evans have been born six children, namely: Etna, deceased; Clara, who is the wife of D. N. Henry and resides in South Dakota; Lura, who gave her hand in marriage to William Havens, of this county; Albert, a resident of Fontanelle, Iowa; Alta, the wife of Frank Lovely, of Greenfield, this state; and Lyle, who operates the old homestead farm.
Mr. Evans was reared in the political faith of the whig party and east his first vote for Zachary Taylor in 1848 but since the organization of the republican party has continuously supported its men and measures. The honors and emoluments of office, however, have never had any attraetion for him. as he has preferred to eon- centrate his energies upon his business affairs, in the careful management of which he has won a gratifying measure of success. He and his wife attend the services of the Methodist Episcopal church and are widely recognized as people of genuine per- sonal worth and commendable characteristics. Mr. Evans has now passed the eighty- eighth milestone on life's journey and enjoys the respect and veneration which should ever be accorded one who has traveled thus far on this earthly pilgrimage and whose career has been at all times upright and honorable.
JOHN EYMANN.
John Eymann, who owns one hundred and fifty-four aeres of good land in Orient township, is one of the excellent citizens whom Germany has given to Iowa. His birth occurred in the fatherland, May 4, 1857, and he is a son of Cornelius and Katherine (Berkholder) Eymann, both natives of Germany, where they passed their entire lives. To them were born three children, but our subjeet is the only one now living.
John Eymann received a good education in his native land and remained at home until he was twenty-three years of age. In 1880 he eame to America, as he had heard much concerning the unusually good opportunities here for the young man ambitious to make his way in the world. He first located in Mahaska county, Iowa, and worked as a farm hand there for two years. At the end of that time he came to Adair county and continued in the employ of others for two years. In the mean- time he carefully saved his earnings and then rented a farm, which he operated for thirteen years, after which he purchased one hundred and fifty-four and a half aeres on seetion 5, Orient township, where he now resides. The place is splendidly improved and Mr. Eymann uses up-to-date methods in his work as an agrieulturist.
In 1884 Mr. Eymann married Miss Elizabeth Eymann, who, although of the same name, is not a relative. Her birth also occurred in Germany and she is a daughter of Peter and Mary (Grabill) Eymann, both natives of the fatherland. In 1883 they emigrated to the United States and located in New Jersey, where her father passed away. Her mother is still living at the venerable age of eighty-eight years. They were the parents of ten children, but five of whom survive. Mr. and Vol. II-3
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