USA > Iowa > Adair County > History of Adair County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 7
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On the 14th of January, 1909, Mr. Buchholz married Miss Emma Warrior, who was born in Nebraska, a daughter of Henry and Laura (Lan) Warrior, both natives of Wisconsin, who in 1895 removed with their family to Adair county, Iowa. They are still residing in Lee township. Mrs. Buchholz received a high-school education. By her marriage she has a son, Marion F., whose birth occurred on the 3d of July, 1913.
Mr. Buchholz is a republican and there has never been any question as to his public spirit or loyalty to the general good. Both he and his wife take an active part in the work of the Methodist Episcopal church. to which they belong. His prosperity is the result of his enterprise and sound judgment-qualities which insure his continued success-and his personality is such that he has gained many warm friends.
D. J. HEPLER.
D. J. Hepler is a representative resident farmer of Lee township living on section 9. He was born in Jasper county, Iowa, on the 23d of September, 1867, a son of David and Priscilla (Hanna) Hepler, both of whom were natives of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, where they were reared and married. They resided in the Keystone state until after the birth of five of their children and about 1866 they Vol. II-4
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came west to Iowa. settling in Jasper county, where the father purchased one hun- dred and twenty aeres of land. He lived there for eight years and about 1874 came to Adair county, purchasing a half seetion in Prussia township on section 4. He lived upon that farm for twenty-two years, carefully cultivating and improving it until 1896, when he retired from active life, removing to Greenfield, where his death occurred in September. 1908. For more than two years he had survived his wife, who passed away in January, 1906.
D. J. Hepler was a little lad of seven years at the time of the removal of the family to Adair county, where he was reared upon the home farm, while his edu- cation was acquired in the district schools. In the spring of 1888, some months prior to the time when he attained his majority, his father gave him his time and he began farming on his own account. For two years he and a brother rented the home place and continued its cultivation in partnership. At the end of that time they dissolved their business connections, however, D. J. Hepler taking over the home place, which he operated alone for six years. He then bought one hundred and twenty aeres on seetion 13, Lee township, and carried on farming there for five years, at the end of which time he sold that property and invested in his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres on seetion 9, Lee township. To this place he removed and he has since oeeupied it. The result of his labors are manifest in the earefully tilled fields which bring forth golden harvests and in the well kept appearance of the place in every particular. In addition to his other interests he is a stoekholder in the Greenfield Creamery Company.
On November 20. 1889. Mr. Hepler was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Holiday, of Grand River township. a daughter of William and Matilda (Anderson) Holiday, pioneer settlers of Adair county, still residing in Grand River township. To Mr. and Mrs. Hepler have been born a son and daughter: Lester R .. who is engaged in farming in Lee township; and Matilda C., a high-school student in Greenfield.
Politieally Mr. Hepler is a republican and is now serving on the board of trus- tees in his township. He belongs to Greenfield Lodge, No. 375, I. O. O. F., and to the Modern Woodmen. Almost his entire life has been passed in Adair eounty, where he is widely and favorably known. He has always followed general agrieul- tural pursuits and in his business has so direeted his labors that substantial results have acerued, and he is now the owner of an excellent farm property.
HERMAN C. KREIS.
Herman C. Kreis. an enterprising and progressive young agriculturist of Adair county, has spent his entire life on the farm which he now operates and which eom- prises one hundred and twenty aeres of rich and productive land on seetion 10, Summerset township. His birth oceurred on the 16th of February, 1883, his par- ents being Fred and Augusta (Miller) Kreis, both of whom were natives of Ger- many. They emigrated to the United States in an early day, located first in Bureau county, Illinois, and subsequently took up their abode in Adair county, Iowa, here spending the remainder of their lives. They were the parents of five children. as
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follows: Mary, who is the wife of W. A. Whistler, of Omaha, Nebraska; Herman C .. of this review ; Henry, living in this county ; and two who have passed away.
Herman C. Kreis attended the common schools in pursuit of an education and on attaining his majority rented the old homestead farm. which he has operated continuously and successfully since. The property embraces one hundred and twenty acres of land on section 10, Summerset township, and the well tilled fields annually yield golden harvests as a reward for the eare and labor which he bestows upon them. He makes a specialty of raising, buying and selling horses, finding this branch of his business also remunerative.
In 1904 Mr. Kreis was united in marriage to Miss Freda Heuckendorf, a native of Germany and a daughter of Henry and Lena (Schroeder) Heuckendorf, who are now residents of Fontanelle. They came to this country when their daughter Freda was eight years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Kreis have two children, Clarence H. and Ernest W.
Politically Mr. Kreis is a stanch republican and he is now serving in the capacity of school director, the cause of education ever finding in him a stalwart champion. His religious faith is that of the German Lutheran church. to which both he and his wife belong. His life is characterized by upright, honorable principles, and Adair county numbers him among her representative agriculturists and worthy native sons.
WILLIAM F. PAXTON.
William F. Paxton is engaged in general farming on section 1, Summerset town- ship, where he has a good property comprising one hundred and sixty-six acres. He was born in Tama county, Iowa, on the 19th of April, 1868, a son of Frank and Clarissa (St. John) Paxton, both of whom were natives of Ohio. Soon after their marriage they came to Iowa and were accompanied by Amos Paxton, the paternal grandfather of William F. Paxton. This was abont the year 1855. They settled in Tama county, where the father and grandfather cut timber, which they hauled to the mill and had lumber sawed, from which to build their houses. After it was sawed, however, they needed money so badly that they sold the lumber and built log houses for themselves. Times were so hard and conditions so unpleasant that when sitting at the table eating his corn bread, which was the principal food of the family, the grandfather would frequently cry and wish himself back in Ohio working in the paper mills at seventy-five cents per day but he did not have the money to return and accordingly was forced to remain. In time conditions changed as the result of their labors. The land which was entered by the father and grand- father is still in the possession of the family and is today worth more than two hundred dollars per acre. Frank Paxton died about eleven years ago but his widow survives and yet owns the home farm of three hundred and five acres, although she resides in Montonr.
William Paxton remained with his parents during the period of his boyhood and youth and was reared amid the wild scenes and environments of pioneer life, sharing in all the hardships and privations incident to the settlement of the frontier. He acquired his education in the district schools. The building in which he pursued
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his studies was afterward purchased by his father for a chieken house, a fact which indieates something of its size. After attaining his majority William Paxton eon- tinned to assist in the operation of the home farm until his thirtieth year. He afterward worked for eighteen months on a stoek farm and subsequently cultivated rented land for a year. In 1900 he purchased eighty aeres of his present farm and the following year removed to Adair county, taking up his abode upon the land which he had previously acquired. Subsequently he bought eighty-six acres adjoin- ing, so that he is now the owner of an excellent farm property. His land is natur- ally rich and arable and he has brought his fields to a high state of cultivation. His farm methods are at all times practical and progressive and he has steadily advanced in the attainment of sueeess, being now at the head of a business which is bringing him substantial returns.
Mr. Paxton was married in 1898 to Miss Mathilda Spinler, of Tama county, and by this union there has been born a son, Orville M. Mr. Paxton is a repub- liean in his political views and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, so that he is able to support his position by intelligent argument. His life has been one of untiring industry and persistent and intelligently directed labor has brought him the success which now classes him with the substantial farmers of the district.
I. T. CLAYTON.
Sinee 1903 I. T. Clayton has conducted a livery stable and garage at Orient and has been aeeorded a liberal patronage. He was born in Warren county, Illi- nois, on the 30th of June, 1863, a son of Andrew and Mary A. (Cole) Clayton, both natives of Kentucky. In 1845 they removed to Warren county, Illinois, where they remained for twenty-five years, but in 1870 they came to Adair county, Iowa, and settled upon a farm in Riehland township, where both passed away. The father was twice married and by his first union had three children. all of whom are deceased. By his marriage with the mother of our subjeet he had six children, of whom three survive.
I. T. Clayton was reared under the parental roof and received his education in the district schools. When a young man of twenty-two years he began his inde- pendent business career and for many years followed agricultural pursuits. In 1902, however, he began dealing in horses at Orient and the following year he became the owner of a livery stable and garage, which he has sinee conducted. Both the stable and garage are well equipped and. as he is obliging and thoroughly hon- orable in all of his business dealings, it is but natural that he should be well patron- ized. He is recognized as one of the successful business men of Orient and is a factor in the commercial expansion of the town. He also owns his residence in Orient.
On the 10th of October, 1901, Mr. Clayton married Miss Nora R. Geary, who was born in Mahaska county. this state. of the marriage of Frederick and Phoebe Geary. natives of Ohio. who in the '50s became residents of Iowa. Her father is deceased but her mother survives. Mr. and Mrs. Clayton have become the parents
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of five children: Anna M., deceased; one who died in infancy; Treva; Everett A .; and one who died in infancy.
Mr. Clayton is a democrat and for four years served on the town council of Orient, exercising his official prerogatives in behalf of the public welfare. Frater- nally he is well known, as he belongs to the Masonic blne lodge, the Modern Wood- men of America and the Yeomen. He is a member of the Baptist church, and his wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. He has thoroughly identified his interests with those of Orient and no movement for the betterment of his commu- nity lacks his hearty support and cooperation.
PETER KORDICK.
Peter Kordick, numbered among the substantial and energetic agriculturists of Adair county, owns and operates an excellent farm of two hundred and forty acres on section 6, Jackson township. His birth occurred in Lee county, Illinois, on the 3d of August, 1869, his parents being Joseph and Catherine (Zierhut) Kordick, who were born, reared and married in Germany. In 1868 or 1869 they emigrated to the United States, locating in Illinois, in which state they resided for about twelve years. On the expiration of that period, in 1881, they came to Adair county, Joseph Kordick buying the northwest quarter of section 6, Jackson township, while subsequently he made additional purchase until his holdings embraced five or six hundred acres of land. His demise occurred in 1903 or 1904 and thus the com- munity lost one of its prosperous and respected citizens.
Peter Kordick, who was a youth of twelve years when his parents established their home in this county, attended the district schools in the acquirement of an education. General agricultural pursuits have claimed his attention throughout his entire business career and after his father's death he purchased one hundred and sixty acres from the estate, while later he bought another tract of eighty acres, now owning two hundred and forty acres of rich and productive land in Jackson township. He annually gathers good crops which find a ready sale on the market, and his present prosperity is the merited reward of his well directed industry and enterprise.
Mr. Kordick is unmarried and makes his home with his brother Joseph. He is a communicant of the Catholic church. The period of his residence in this county now covers more than a third of a century and he has won an extensive circle of friends and acquaintances within its borders.
RICHARD F. JEFFRYES.
One hundred and sixty acres of good land on sections 29 and 32, Lec township. pay tribute to the care and cultivation which its owner. Richard F. Jeffryes, bestows upon it. He is a native of Mercer county, Illinois, and his birth occurred on the 24th of September, 1855. His parents, Frederick and Eleanor (Cooper) Jeffryes, who were natives respectively of England and Pennsylvania, took up their residence in Illinois in an early day in the history of that state. There they were married
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and there they continued to reside until 1865, when they came to Adair county, Iowa. Further mention of their lives is made elsewhere in this work.
Richard F. Jeffryes passed the period of his minority under the parental roof but when he attained his majority he left home and for several years he operated rented land. His first purchase of land made him the owner of forty acres, upon which he resided for three years. He then sold that place and bought a farm in Jackson township, this county, where he lived until 1900, when he purchased a quarter section on sections 29 and 32, Lee township, where he now resides. He has made many excellent improvements and the farm is one of the valuable prop- erties of his locality. He specializes in raising hogs for the market and his long experience and good business judgment enable him to carry on that business very successfully.
In 1881 Mr. Jeffryes was married to Miss Myrtle Hollingsworth, a native of Iowa and a daughter of Albert and Sarah A. Hollingsworth. The father is still living and resides at Greenfield. Mr. and Mrs. Jeffryes have two children: Grace, the wife of K. H. Adams, of this eounty ; and Harry C., still at home.
Mr. Jeffryes is a demoerat and has served acceptably upon the school board. His wife belongs to the Christian church, in the work of which she takes a helpful interest. They began their married life in limited financial circumstances but their continued industry has been rewarded and they now have more than a competence. Their many admirable traits of character have won them the respect of all who know them and there are many who value highly their goodwill and favorable opinion.
WILLIAM UNTIEDT.
William Untiedt, who makes his home on section 12, Jackson township, owns and cultivates one hundred and ninety-two and one-half aeres of land comprising one of the valuable and well improved farms of the county. His birth occurred in Davenport, Iowa, on the 9th of June. 1866. his father being Hans Untiedt, who emigrated to the United States in 1865. Locating in Davenport, Iowa, the latter secured employment as a day laborer and there spent the remainder of his life, pass- ing away in 1902. The mother of our subjeet died during his childhood.
William Untiedt acquired but a limited education in the public schools of Daven- port, as he became a wage carner at the early age of nine years, working on the farm hoeing potatoes and doing such other labor as he was able. He continued work as. a farm hand until the age of twenty-two years and in 1888 went to Red- willow county, Nebraska, where he rented land and kept bachelor's hall for five years. attempting to make a suceess of farming. During the entire period, however, he harvested but one crop and at length decided to come back to Iowa. On return- ing to Davenport he rented ten acres of land which he planted to potatoes, farming the place for two years and in the meantime working for another farmer with whom he boarded. Carefully saving the money which he made, he was enabled to pur- chase his present property in the winter of 1894, but he did not take up his abode thereon until the spring of 1896. The place comprises one hundred and ninety-two and one-half acres of valuable and productive land on section 12, Jackson township,
MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM UNTIEDT
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and in its operation Mr. Untiedt has won a most gratifying and well merited measure of prosperity. He is a stockholder in the Fontanelle Lumber Company.
In the spring of 1896 Mr. Untiedt was united in marriage to Miss Maggie Serk, of Walcott, Scott county, Iowa. He is a republican in his political views and has served for one term as township trustee, while for the past five years he has been a member of the school board, ever discharging his public duties in a most prompt and capable manner. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Fontanelle Lodge, No. 250, while his religious faith is indi- cated by his membership in the Lutheran church, with which his wife is also affili- ated. They are people of the highest respectability, whose good qualities of heart and mind have won for them the confidence and friendly regard of all who know them.
WILLIAM C. DIARS.
William C. Diars, a worthy native son of Adair county and wide-awake young business man of Fontanelle, has for a number of years been identified with real- estate and insurance interests and in this connection has won well merited success. His birth occurred on the 19th of January, 1884, his parents being Peter and Mar- garet (Hills) Diars, both of whom were natives of Germany. They emigrated to the United States in 1880 and made their way direct to Iowa, locating on a farm in Adair county on which the mother passed away January 15, 1912. The father survives, however, and is well known and highly esteemed throughout the com- munity. They became the parents of eleven children, four of whom are yet living.
William C. Diars received his education in the common schools and spent the period of his minority under the parental roof. Subsequently he cultivated rented land for three years and on the expiration of that period came to Fontanelle, where he embarked in the real-estate business and he has since built up an extensive and profitable patronage in that line, handling property in Adair and adjoining coun- ties. He is also active in the insurance field. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and enjoys an enviable reputation in both business and social circles of the county in which he has resided from his birth to the present time.
E. E. SAVAGE.
E. E. Savage is a worthy native son and representative agriculturist of Adair county, owning and cultivating one hundred and sixty acres of valuable land on sections 10 and 15, Grand River township. His birth occurred on the 22d of March, 1871. his parents being Joel E. and Charlotte I. (Collins) Savage, who were natives of Maine and Ohio respectively. After coming to Adair county the father devoted his attention to the operation of a farm throughout the remainder of his life, passing away in August, 1897. His widow survives and is well known and highly esteemed throughout the community. They became the parents of four children, as follows:
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E. E., of this review ; Flora L. and John E., both of whom are deceased; and William O., who is a resident of Des Moines.
E. E. Savage attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education and remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority. Subsequently he cultivated a rented tract of land for four years and on the expiration of that period purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Grand River town- ship, while later he bought an additional tract of forty acres, so that his holdings now embrace a quarter section. He cultivates the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and also devotes considerable attention to the raising of cattle, hogs and horses, both branches of his business returning to him a gratifying annual income.
In 1900 Mr. Savage was united in marriage to Miss Rhoda M. Lents, a native of Adair county, Iowa, and a daughter of George and Cordelia (Fuller) Lents, both of whom have passed away. They had eleven children, ten of whom are yet living. To Mr. and Mrs. Savage have been born five children, namely: Flora M., Mary E., John E., Margie Ruth and Francis Dale.
In his political views Mr. Savage is a republican and he has served as justice of the peace and as school director, making a most creditable record as a public official. He well merits the proud American title of a self-made man, for his present prosperity is the direct reward of his own labors. Both he and his wife have spent their entire lives in Adair county and are widely and favorably known within its borders, the circle of their friends being almost coextensive with the circle of their acquaintances.
MARTIN F. TRACY.
Among the efficient farmers of Jackson township is Martin F. Tracy, who owns one hundred and sixty-two aeres of land on section 5. He was born in Whiteside county, Illinois, on the 19th of March, 1875, and is a son of Edward and Mary (Callahan) Tracy, both natives of Ireland. In 1862 they emigrated to America and located in Pennsylvania. The father served during the Civil war in the Union army and has at all times proved a public-spirited citizen. He is still living in this county but the mother is deceased.
Martin F. Tracy remained under the parental roof during the period of his minority and upon beginning his independent career decided to follow the ocenpa- tion to which he had been reared. He operated rented land for six years but at the end of that time had accumulated sufficient capital to enable him to buy one hundred and sixty-two acres on section 5, Jackson township. He took up his resi- denee upon that place and in the intervening years has erected a number of good buildings and otherwise improved the farm. He raises all kinds of stock.
Mr. Tracy was married in 1901 to Miss Emma K. Ries, who was born in Whiteside county. Illinois, and is a daughter of G. W. and Margaret (Bitz) Ries, both natives of Germany. They emigrated to America many years ago and both passed away in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Tracy are the parents of cight children, namely: Raymond E .. Margaret, Irene, Mary, Elma, Martin F., Marcella and G. M., who is deceased.
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Mr. Tracy is a stanch democrat and is now filling the office of township trustee. Fraternally he is identified with the Woodmen of the World, and both he and his wife are communicants of the Roman Catholic church. They are widely known throughout the county and those who have been most intimately associated with them hold them in the highest esteem.
I. J. GIBSON, M. D.
Dr. I. J. Gibson, a successful and able young medical practitioner, has followed his profession in Fontanelle for the past five years. His birth occurred in Mercer county, Illinois, on the 4th of November, 1884, his parents being N. W. and Atlanta (Ripley) Gibson, both of whom were natives of Ohio. They came to Iowa about 1855, locating on a farm in Cedar county, but five years later returned to Rock Island county, Illinois, and there continued to reside until 1865. In that year they took up their abode in Mercer county, Illinois, where they made their home until 1890, when they located on a farm in Adair county, this state. Here the father passed away in 1910, being survived by his widow, who yet lives on the old home place and is well known and highly esteemed throughout the com- munity. To them were born nine children, seven of whom survive.
I. J. Gibson acquired his early education in the common schools and pursued a high-school course at Creston, Iowa. Having determined upon a professional career, he entered the Chicago Medical College and following his graduation from that institution in 1909 spent one year in practice in South Dakota. He then returned to this state and opened an office in Fonanelle, where he has fol- lowed his profession continuously and successfully since, enjoying a gratifying and steadily growing practice. He holds membership in the Adair County Medical Society, the Iowa State Medical Society and the American Medical Association and thus keeps in touch with the most advanced methods and latest discoveries of the profession.
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