USA > Iowa > Audubon County > History of Audubon county, Iowa; its people, industries, and institutions > Part 28
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After the war Captain Van Gorder resumed the manufacture of bricks in Exira, varying the time with a trip across the plains to Pike's Peak in 1867. He also for a time clerked in a general store in Exira. In the year 1869 he was elected to the office of county treasurer and served for two terms of two years each. From 1874 to 1876 he was engaged in the real estate business. In the year 1876 his banking career began and he started the Audubon County Bank at Exira. In 1878, when Audubon was laid out and building had commenced in the new county-seat town, he decided that it would prove to be a better location for his banking business. Con- sequently the business was moved to the new city. Captain Van Gorder erected a building in Audubon and conducted a private bank until 1893, when the First National Bank succeeded the Audubon County Bank. Cap- tain Van Gorder also is interested in the Exchange Bank at Exira, and for some time he has occupied the post of vice-president of the institution of which he is the founder. He has large land holdings in Iowa, the Dakotas, Canada and Texas.
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On November 28, 1869, Charles Van Gorder was married to Laura J. Delahoyde, daughter of an early settler in Audubon county, and to this union have been born four children, three of whom are yet living, namely: Edwin S., president of the First National Bank of Audubon, this county; Sydney S., also of Audubon, and Lowene J. Kirk, the wife of Willing D. Kirk, of the great soap manufacturing company of the same name, and a resident of Glencoe, near Chicago. Robert Bruce Van Gorder, the deceased son, died in Audubon in 1907.
Politically, Capt. Charles Van Gorder, estimable gentleman and pioneer settler, has always been allied with the Republican party, and takes a keen interest in political affairs, though never having been a seeker after public office, except on the occasion of his election to the office of county treasurer. He is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, in which order he has attained to the chapter and the commandery, and takes a just pride in his membership in Allison Post, Grand Army of the Republic, of Audubon.
All honor is due this citizen who assisted in settling up the county in the pioneer days and was one of the few men to enlist in the service of the Union during the days of the civil conflict. This volume would cer- tainly be incomplete were not the foregoing tribute and review inserted in its pages. The biographies of such men as Charles Van Gorder, pioneer settler and banker, Union veteran and public-spirited citizen, but enhance the value of a work of this character and serve and as inspiration to encour- age the young men of the present and coming generations.
HALLECK J. MANTZ.
The record of the gentleman whose name introduces this article is replete with well-defined purposes which, carried to successful issue, in con- nection with the development of inherited talents, have won for him an influential place in the ranks of his profession and high personal standing among his fellow citizens. His life work has been one of unceasing industry and perseverance, and the systematic and honorable methods which he has ever followed have resulted, not only in gaining the confidence of those with whom he has had dealings, but also in the building up of a remunerative legal practice. Well grounded in the principles of jurisprudence, and, by instinct and habit, a constant reader and student, Mr. Mantz commands the
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respect of his professional colleagues, while his career as an attorney and public official has reflected honor upon himself and dignity upon the vocation to which he has devoted his efforts.
Halleck J. Mantz, attorney and mayor of Audubon, this county, was born on September 23, 1877, in Iowa county, Iowa, the son of Samuel L. and Harriett (Eddy) Mantz, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively. Sam- uel L. Mantz was born in Pennsylvania in 1848, the son of Jonas Mantz, who is still living at the great age of ninety-four years, he having been born in 1821. The Mantz family is of colonial descent, a very old American family, the grandfather of Jonas Mantz having fought in the American War of Inde- pendence, a soldier under General Washington. His great-grandfather was a soldier in the French and Indian War.
Jonas Mantz and family migrated from the ancestral home in Pennsyl- vania to Iowa in the early fifties of the last century. Jonas and a partner tramped afoot across the state, from Rock Island to Kanesville, or Council Bluffs. After viewing the country around about he decided to settle in Keokuk county and removed his family to Iowa in 1859. For a great many years Jonas Mantz has been engaged in the live-stock business and his activities have ranged over the entire country. He specializes in fine-bred stallions and has been thus engaged since the late fifties.
Samuel Mantz made his home in Iowa county until 1881, in which year he came to Audubon county and bought a farm in Leroy township, on which he lived until 1902. He was the owner of a half section of land, which he sold upon his retirement in 1902 and moved to Audubon. To Samuel Mantz and wife were born eight children, namely: Everett, a farmer of Hobart, Oklahoma; Frank, a publisher at Manning, Iowa; Halleck J .; William a farmer of Belle Plaine, Canada; Clara, who married Frank Taylor, a farmer located near Guthrie Center; Theodore, a practicing attorney, located at Des Moines, Iowa; Mrs. Sadie Schmidt, of Leroy township, this county, and Albert, a railroad telegraph operator at Kimballton, Iowa.
Halleck J. Mantz was reared on a farm and received his primary educa- tion in the district school, following which he completed the course in the Audubon high school. He then taught school for three years and in 1901 entered the law school of Drake University, graduating from this excellent institution in the spring of 1904, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Laws. After his admission to the bar, Mr. Mantz began the practice of law in Audu- bon and has achieved a gratifying success.
In August, 1910, Halleck J. Mantz was married to Dorothy Sandberg, which union has been without issue. Mr. Mantz is a Republican in politics
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and is prominent in the councils of his party. He was elected to the office of county attorney in 1907, and after serving for a term of two years he was re-elected in 1909, serving from January, 1908 to January, 1912, inclusive. His faithful discharge of the duties involved in this official position was such as to commend him favorably to the people of the county. He was appointed mayor of Audubon in July, 1913, and was elected to the office in the spring of 1914. Mayor Mantz is an aggressive and energetic public official, who is strongly in favor of municipal improvements, and is a constant and con- sistent "booster" and advocate for a greater and better Audubon. He is a member of the Presbyterian church and is fraternally connected with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, having attained to the chapter in that order, and is a member of the Eastern Star lodge. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
OTTO WITTHAUER.
In nearly every community are individuals who, by innate ability and sheer force of character, rise above their fellows and win for themselves public honors and preferment, occupying conspicuous places in the public esteem. Such a one is the well-known gentleman whose name appears above, who has been prominently identified with the history of Audubon county for a number of years, during which period his life has been closely interwoven with the growth and development of the county. He has been active in business affairs, as well as having taken a prominent part in the official administration of the county government, and his career as a pro- gressive and enterprising citizen has been synonymous with all that is honor- able and upright in citizenship.
Otto Witthauer, former county auditor of Audubon county and present representative from this county in the Iowa General Assembly, was born in Woodward, Center county, Pennsylvania, on October 11, 1857, the son of Herman and Louisa (Flahl) Witthauer, both of whom were natives of Ger- many, where they were married, emigrating to America in May, 1854. They resided in Pennsylvania until April 5, 1865, at which time they set out for the long trip to the newer and cheaper lands of western Iowa. The family located on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres near Guthrie Center, Guthrie county, and resided thereon until 1884, in which year Herman Witthauer purchased the adjoining farm, where he spent the rest of his life, his death
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occurring in 1905. Mrs. Witthauer died in 1901. They were the parents of eight children, namely: Louis, who is tilling the home farm in Guthrie county ; Ida, who died in infancy; Otto, with whom this review directly treats; Hugo, who died in infancy; Bruna, who died at the age of six years; Thomas, a resident of Council Bluffs; Udo, of Wellsville, Missouri, and Edward, formerly a citizen of Olathe, Kansas, now deceased.
Otto Witthauer was reared to young manhood on the pioneer farm in Guthrie county, and after receiving what instruction was available in the local district school, he attended the county high school at Panora, Guthrie county, Iowa. He fitted himself for the profession of teaching and taught for four years in his home county, after which, in the fall of 1880, he entered the employ of Captain Stuart, an extensive grain and lumber merchant. Mr. Witthauer first began his work for Captain Stuart in the latter's lumber yards at Guthrie Center, but was soon afterward transferred to Monteith. In April, 1881, he was placed in charge of Captain Stuart's business at Exira, this county. The nature of his occupation gave him a wide acquaintance throughout the county and he made many warm and faithful friends. He became his party's candidate for county recorder in the fall of 1884, was elected to this office, and served for one term of two years. Upon the expira- tion of his term of office he returned to Exira and engaged in the mercantile business on his own account. He was unfortunate, for in 1887 fire destroyed his building and wiped out the stock of goods. He did not attempt again to start in business, but re-entered Captain Stuart's employ and was thus engaged until Stuart disposed of his business in the fall of 1888, at which time Mr. Witthauer embarked in the lumber business for himself, continuing that business until 1890, when he sold out and engaged in the hardware and harness business for two years. after which he was employed by the Daven- port Syrup Refining Company as grain buyer at Exira. He remained in this latter position for six years, or until 1898, the firm in the meantime being incorporated with the Davenport Elevator Company. For a period of one and one-half years, following 1898 Mr. Witthauer was employed as manager for the Fullerton Lumber Company at Exira. From 1899 to 1909 his occu- pations were varied and he then made a trip to Montana, where he was superintendent of a saw-mill and lumber company for one year. He returned home in 1910 and in that year was elected to the office of auditor of Audubon county.
In June, 1883, Otto Witthauer was married to Hattie Bowman, of this county, to which union three children have been born, Bessie, a teacher of music in the public schools of Corwith, Iowa; Omar, at home, and Leo, who died in infancy.
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Mr. Witthauer is a member of the Christian church and is a consistent supporter of that faith. He is fraternally allied with the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Witthauer is a stanch Democrat in his political affiliations and stands high in the councils of his party. He was elected to the office of county auditor in the fall of 1910 and was re- elected in 1912, serving two full terms. He was a most capable official and enjoyed the confidence and esteem of the people of Audubon county, not only in his capacity of commissioner but as a citizen who was held in high regard by all who knew him. Mr. Witthauer is now a representative from Audubon county in the state Legislature, having been elected in 1914, in which honor- able public capacity he has made a fine reputation throughout the state.
JOHN A. NASH.
With affectionate and tender interest men and women of the present generation, who are enjoying the comforts and advantages made possible by those whose works have ended, revert to the salient points of their careers. The service of one's fellows is the keynote of honorable and effi- cient citizenship, and when we turn the pages of personal history and realize for the first time how far one noble man or one noble woman may influence for good the currents of life in a community, we are struck with a sense of our own personal responsibilities as citizens of this republic and as factors in the community life of whatever sphere we may dominate. It is not the man who makes the loudest pretentions of greatness who is really . great, but rather the man who in a modest and humble spirit meets the obligations which opportunity puts in his pathway. These thoughts are especially suggested by the career of the late John A. Nash, who, until his death on October 28, 1913, was properly regarded as the first citizen of Audubon.
The late John A. Nash was fortunate in having been born of par- ents who during his youth set for him a worthy example of service. Fur- thermore, he was fortunate in having been provided in his youth with exceptional educational advantages, which equipped him for a large career of influence. Moreover, in Audubon county at least, he had the advantage of having come here as a young man at the very beginning of the county's settlement, the beginning of its agricultural development ; the beginning of its rise to distinction among the sister counties of the great Hawkeye com-
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John d. Nash
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monwealth. What he did, however, from the beginning of his career in this county is what hundreds of other men similarly situated might have failed to do. He was able to see his opportunities and he was possessed of the inclination and ability to take advantage of them.
Though his last days here were darkened by personal sorrow at the loss of a loved member of his family, he nevertheless bore with fortitude the exacting demands of the omniscient and omnipotent Father and remained until his death an optimist in sorrow, one who could see behind the dark clouds the silver lining that lay beyond. John A. Nash excelled as a lawyer, he was superb as a citizen, patient, kind and unselfish as a father and husband.
Born on May 9, 1854, at Des Moines, Iowa, the late John A. Nash was the son of Rev. John A. Nash, D. D., a Baptist minister who came to Iowa, locating at Des Moines about 1850, when that splendid city of today was no more than a trading post on the outpost of civilization. There he lived for many years, and there the greatest work of his life was performed. He went to Des Moines as a minister in the church, and after some years established Des Moines College, an institution which has had a profound influence on the life of this section, and of which for many years he was the president. Both he and his good wife, whose maiden name was Mary E. Hepburn, were natives of New York state and migrated from New York to Iowa. Both are now deceased. But their good work goes on, not only in the reflected goodness of their distinguished son, the subject of this sketch, but in the lives of their other children and in the lives of the hun- dreds who came under the spell of their beneficent influence. To Rev. John A. and Mary E. (Hepburn) Nash were born three children besides John A., namely : Janet C., Nettie M. and Harriet N.
John A. Nash, who was the eldest of these children, received his elementary education in the schools of Des Moines, and was graduated from Des Moines College. It was there, under the tutelage of his father and the influence of the church that his early ideals, aspirations and ambitions were formulated. Naturally the influence of christianity was predominant in Des Moines College, and as a student in the institution of which his father was president John A. Nash came under this influence. It is no doubt true that there, in association with his fellow students, his notions of real life and the purposes of the individual in society became fixed.
Early in life John A. Nash decided to equip himself for the law, and, after completing the classisal course at Des Moines College, he entered the Iowa College of Law, now a part of Drake University, and subsequently
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was graduated with high honors. When his collegiate training was finished he was equipped to practice his profession in the largest cities of the East, since his training was in no wise inferior to that given in the larger univer- sities of the East. But instead of returning to the home of his father, as many other boys might have done, he choose the little town of Stewart, Iowa, as a place where he might begin his practice. There for one year he read law with a Mr. Fogg, and, after gaining some practical experience, the next year formed a partnership with B. S. Phelps and removed to Exira, this county. But Exira was to be only a temporary seat of his professional activities. Audubon at that time was not counted as a city, but upon its establishment as the county seat, Mr. Nash removed to Audubon and con- tinued in the practice of his profession until July, 1913, when he sold the practice and office to Arnold, Ross & Rasmussen.
Two years after beginning the practice of law at Exira, John A. Nash was married on September 1, 1880, to Gertrude Russell, daughter of George B. and Jane (Hutchinson) Russell, who were natives of Scotland and New York state, respectively. Mrs. Nash's father came to America when a mere lad, and after remaining for a time in New York, moved to Wisconsin, where he married and eventually, in 1871, settled at Exira, this county. George B. Russell was a pioneer merchant in what was then a straggling village on the broad prairie. Some years ago he passed away in Audubon, but his widow is still living in California. They had four children: Mrs. Agnes R. Stotts; Charles H., who died in 1898; Mrs. Gertrude Nash, who was born on February 3, 1863, and James F., of Ft. Dodge, Iowa.
To John A. and Gertrude (Russell) Nash two daughters were born, Beatrice, born on June II, 1881, and Gretchen Russell, August 25, 1883. The former is the wife of Nelson W. Cowles, of Ottumwa, Iowa.
The last years of the late John A. Nash were darkened by the sickness and death of his younger daughter, Gretchen Russell, who died at Monrovia, California, on March 23, 1913, after an illness of two years. It was only seven months later that Mr. Nash himself died. Mrs. Nash spent the last two years of her daughter's life with the latter in California, during which time Mr. Nash made several trips to that state. The news of Gretchen Nash's death brought sorrow to a large circle of friends in Audu- bon, Iowa. The remains were brought back to Audubon by her parents and the funeral services were conducted by A. B. Miller.
The late John A. Nash will go down in the history of this section as one of the leading citizens of Audubon, where he had a host of friends. Having gone to Audubon in the first place in the employ of the Chicago,
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Rock Island & Pacific Railroad to quiet the titles to land owned by the company, in Audubon, Shelby and Carroll counties, Mr. Nash had enjoyed, up to within a few months before his death, when he abandoned the prac- tice of law, a large legal business in this section of Iowa. He was a man of quiet and unassuming manners and retiring disposition, who avoided all display of whatever kind. He did much for the city where he lived so long, which his surviving fellow townsmen remember with personal admira- tion for the memory of the man. Although he served with distinguished ability as mayor of Audubon, perhaps his most helpful service was per- formed as a private citizen. He was prominent in the fraternal circles of the city, having been a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, in which order he had attained to the chapter and commandery, the Scot- tish Rite and the Mystic Shrine. He was also at the time of his death a past chancellor of the Audubon lodge of the Knights of Pythias. Though his wife and daughters were Presbyterians, Mr. Nash himself was not a mem- ber of the church. Mrs. Nash, who survives her husband, is a fine type of the broad-minded, cultured and refined woman, who enjoys the sincerest respect and esteem of the entire community.
Other men perhaps will perform worthy service in this great county; men are doing it today, in fact, but it is doubtful whether any other man will ever perform a service greater than that of the late John A. Nash, who, a man that might have fitted into the cultured and exacting social life of the East, chose as his sphere of action a straggling village on these broad prairies. His work is done, but his influence will live as long as this favored section endures.
ELLA M. STEARNS.
The peculiar rewards accruing to a person who follows the profession of teaching for a long number of years are not great, but the honor and satisfaction of knowing that one has accomplished a great deal of good and molded many minds to the right way of living and thinking, more than compensates for the lack of large compensation. While it is true that the rank and file of teachers are not paid in the same ratio that those who follow other learned professions are rewarded, yet there are, as in other vocations, high places for those who are deserving. "There is always room at the top," is a tried and true saying, and it might be added that the top is never overcrowded with the really capable. One of the recognized leaders in the
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teaching profession, one who has risen to a high place in her chosen life work, is Ella M. Stearns, county superintendent of schools for Audubon county.
Ella M. Stearns was born in Oxford county, Maine, daughter of Stephen B. and Mary (Gordon) Stearns, the former of whom was a native of Oxford county, Maine, and the latter a native of Freyburg, Maine. Fol- lowing the death of Stephen B. Stearns, his family, in 1874, emigrated to Michigan, and two years later, in 1876, the sons, Stephen, Sewell and H. Wilbur, came to Audubon county in order to make a permanent home. Mrs. Stearns came on later to join them in making a home and died at the home in Luccocks Grove not long after her arrival in the county. Stephen and Sewell went further west after some years of residence here and Stephen now resides in Kansas City and Sewell is located in Tacoma, Washington. There were nine children in the Stearns family, all of whom but four re- mained in the East. These children, besides the subject of this sketch, are George, residing at Spring Creek, Pennsylvania; J. C., living at Lovell Center, Maine; Mrs. Carrie Leighton, of Indianapolis; Mrs. Belle Hurlman, of Great Falls, Maine ; Mrs. Sarah Stearne, of Lovell Center, Maine; Stephen, a resident of Kansas City; Sewell, of Tacoma, Washington, and H. W., formerly a resident of Audubon county, who recently died, was one of the well-known citizens of the county, and left four children, Virgil, Mereber, Helen and Russell.
Ella M. Stearns was educated in the high school of Ludington, Michi- gan, the Bloomfield Normal School, and the State Teachers College at Cedar Falls, Iowa. She studied in the various schools and colleges while teaching and practically made her own way. Miss Stearns taught her first school in a board shanty in Douglas township, Audubon county. This shanty was put up roughly and was covered with tar-paper roofing, a good example of the makeshift school buildings of the time. Her next school was taught in an old granary, which sufficed for a temple of learning in Viola township. She also taught the "Jack Whipple" school in Lincoln township and taught likewise in rural schools in Leroy and Melville township. She became so well and favorably known throughout the county as an able and forceful teacher that her services became greatly in demand and positions were offered her in various parts of the county. While teaching in the Exira schools, a position which had come without solicitation on her part, she was offered a situation in the Audubon schools. She accepted and for a number of years was at the head of the city grammar school, later serving as principal of the high school and teacher of English. Miss Stearns served for twenty-
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three years in the Audubon schools, and it was only natural that she should eventually assume the highest position in educational circles possible within the gift of the people of Audubon county. In January of 1907 she became county superintendent of schools for Audubon county and has since then continuously served in this important capacity. During her administration the public schools have made marked progress and modern methods are in evidence in practically every district in the county.
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