USA > Iowa > Audubon County > History of Audubon county, Iowa; its people, industries, and institutions > Part 53
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Mr. and Mrs. Turner and family are members of the Methodist Episco- pal church and are earnest supporters of all good works hereabout. Mr.
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Turner is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a Republican and has served as justice of the peace and in practically all of the township offices of Cameron township, and no man in this county is held in higher regard or enjoys more fully the confidence of the public, he and his family being held in the highest esteem by all.
CHRIS CHRISTENSEN.
Among the well-known citizens of this county, Chris Christensen, a retired farmer, has made a success of his chosen life work, and at the same time has established an enviable reputation for honesty, integrity and cordial feelings with his fellow men. There is, therefore, a measure of satisfaction in presenting even a brief resume of the life and achievements of Mr. Christ- ensen. His success should be interesting and instructive to the present generation of young men who are just starting out in life, and whose careers are yet unformed.
Chris Christensen was born in Denmark on September 5, 1875, the son of Hans Peter and Johanna ( Adamson) Christensen. Hans Peter Christen- sen emigrated with his family to America in 1879, settling near Kimballton, in Sharon township, this county, where he following the life of a farmer the rest of his days. He and his wife were the parents of seven children, six of whom are still living, Mars, Bertel, Andrew, Chris, Margaretta and Kath- erine. The mother of these children is still living at the age of eighty-two years.
Chris Christensen was educated in the public schools of his native land, and in 1877 came to the United States, arriving in this country two years before his parents came. He settled first in Scott county, Iowa, where he remained seven years, at the end of which time he moved to Taylor county. this state, where he resided for four years, and in 1888 came to Audubon county. Upon arriving here he purchased a farm and has since lived in this county. Mr. Christensen first purchased one hundred and twenty acres, to which he added from time to time until he became the owner of four hun- dred and eighty acres of splendid land. Recently he sold four hundred acres to his different sons, retaining only about eighty acres. Mr. Christensen also owns a fine home in the city of Audubon, and there he is now living retired, surrounded by all the comforts and conveniences of modern life.
On January 16, 1883, Chris Christensen was married to Dorothy Adam-
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son, who was born in Denmark, daughter of Soren and Kisten Maria (Jersen- sen) Adamson, and who came to the United States in 1882. To this union seven children have been born, namely: Hans P., a farmer of Sharon town- ship; Soren, John and Andrew, farmers in Sharon township; Allie, who became the wife of Hans Johnson, a farmer of Douglas township; Hannah, who is keeping house for her brother, John, and Elda, living at home.
Mr. Christensen is a Republican, although he has never been especially active in political affairs. He and his family are members of the Danish Lutheran church, and are deeply interested in the welfare of that denomina- tion, and liberal contributors to its support. In all the relations of life Mr. Christensen has shown himself as eminently worthy of the respect and esteem which are accorded him by his neighbors and fellow citizens.
BIRD LEFFLER.
Hard and laborious work was the lot of Bird Leffler during his youth and early manhood, but his fidelity to duty has won for him the respect and confidence of those with whom he has been thrown in contact, and by patient continuance in well-doing, he has gradually risen from a humble station to his present standing as a progressive young farmer of Audubon county. He has worked his way from a modest beginning to a position of considerable prominence by efforts which have been practically unaided; a fact which renders him the more worthy of praise, and this is freely accorded him by his fellow citizens.
Bird Leffler was born on January 3, 1880, at old Hamlin, this county, a son of George and Josephine (Wilson) Leffler, the former of whom was born on October 18, 1847, in Pennsylvania, a son of John and Barbara (Weaver) Leffler, also natives of Pennsylvania, of Dutch and English descent, respectively, who, in 1851, migrated from Pennsylvania to Jefferson county, Iowa, settling first at Fairfield, where they remained for four years, or until 1855, when they removed to Decatur county, lowa, and made that their permanent home, spending the rest of their lives there.
George Leffler was married on March 25, 1877, to Josephine Wilson, of Decatur county, Iowa, who was born on February 10, 1860, in Mahaska county, Iowa, a daughter of Thomas and Mary ( Richards) Wilson, natives of Ohio and early settlers in Mahaska county. In 1880 the Lefflers came to Audubon county and settled at old Hamlin, where they lived for a time, and
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then moved to a farm in Leroy township. Mr. Leffler now resides in Audu- bon. He and his wife were the parents of but two children, Bird, the sub- ject of this sketch, and Mrs. Barbara A. White, who lives in Melville town- ship.
Bird Leffler was educated in the district schools of Audubon county, and has been farming for himself since 1901. He first rented a farm one and one-half miles west of his present farm, but in 1910 he moved to a farm one and one-half miles west, where he lived for a short time, after which he moved to his present farm. Mr. Leffler owns one hundred and twenty acres, and is farming two hundred and forty acres. He purchased forty acres in September, 1907, and eighty acres on February 3, 1911, both tracts located in section 31, of Melville township.
On February 24, 1904, Bird Leffler was married to Anna Sunberg, who was born on August 3, 1882, daughter of Henry Sunberg, whose biographical sketch, found elsewhere in this volume, gives the history of the Sunberg family, and to this union two children have been born, Dessa Fay, born on October 24, 1910, and Gladys May, May 12, 1905.
Mr. Leffler is a Republican, but he has never been active in politics, and has never held public office nor cared to do so. He has devoted his time and attention to his family and to the cultivation of his farm, and in this respect has contributed materially to the progress and prosperity of Audubon county. He is well worthy of representation in the annals of his county, and is held in high regard by all who know him.
THOMAS CAMPBELL.
The name of Thomas Campbell for many years has been an honored and respected one in this county, Mr. Campbell richly deserving the universal respect and esteem accorded him in the community where he lives. He is numbered among the enterprising farmers of Audubon county and is a man of sound judgment, discretion and thorough knowledge of his life's voca- tion. He is possessed of business ability of a high order and has managed his affairs with splendid success, being generally recognized as one of the leading citizens of Melville township, where he owns two hundred and forty acres of land in section 36.
Thomas Campbell was born on February 4, 1875, in Logan county, Illinois, the son of George Campbell, a native of Ireland, who came to Audu-
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bon county in 1885, Thomas Campbell being then eleven years of age. He had attended the public schools of Logan county, Illinois, and after coming to Audubon county, attended the public schools of Melville township and in these places received his education. When twenty-three years old, Mr. Campbell began farming for himself, renting land from his father, and has farmed the lower farm of section 36 continuously since that time. In 1907 Mr. Campbell invested in eighty acres of land, a portion of his father's farm, at fifty dollars an acre, and has improved this farm by the erection of numer- ous buildings. Previously, in 1900, his father had given him eighty acres and in 1910 he bought eighty acres additional.
Mr. Campbell raises one hundred and twenty head of hogs annually, and is an extensive breeder of Shorthorn cattle, at the present time feeding more than thirty head of registered thoroughbred cattle. His corn, of ' which he raises about forty acres each year, produces upwards of sixty bushels to the acre. He, therefore, has each fall from twenty-four hundred to twen- ty-five hundred bushels of corn.
On February 4, 1893, Thomas Campbell was married to Nannie Glas- cock, who was born in Illinois, the daughter of Thomas Glascock, deceased. To this union four children have been born, George Thomas (deceased), Harry Arthur, Byron Francis and Laura Kathryn. The Campbells are held in high regard in their neighborhood and enjoy the cordial esteem of all who know them.
W. W. PERRINE.
The gentleman to a review of whose life the reader's attention is most respectfully directed at this point, is recognized as one of the energetic, well- known business men of Audubon county, who, by his enterprise and pro- gressive methods, has contributed in a material way to the agricultural advancement of the locality where he lives. In the course of an honorable career he has been successful in several lines to which his efforts have been directed, and he enjoys a distinct prestige among the representative men of Iowa township. It is eminently proper, therefore, that attention be called to his achievements and due credit be accorded his worth as a citizen.
W. W. Perrine was born in Sagamon county, Illinois, on August 29. 1857. a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Carroll) Perrine, both natives of Ohio. Both moved to Illinois when young and were married in that state, becoming substantial farmers and honored and respected citizens of their
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community. Mrs. Perrine died in Illinois and Samuel Perrine spent his last days in this county. He and his wife were the parents of seven children, George W., Richard, W. W., Alice, Lincoln, Joseph and Grant, all of whom are living with the exception of Lincoln, Richard and Grant. 1
W. W. Perrine received his education in the common schools of Illinois, and after leaving school began farming in that state. He remained in Illinois until 1882, when he came to Audubon county, and in September of that year located in Lincoln township, where he purchasd eighty acres of land, upon which he lived for eighteen years. In 1900 Mr. Perrine sold his farm in Lincoln township and purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Viola town- ship, where he is now living. He is engaged in general mixed farming, and is an extensive breeder of Shorthorn cattle and Duroc-Jersey hogs, and has met with a very fair degree of success in his agricultural operations.
On March 1, 1883, W. W. Perrine was married to Elizabeth Thomas, daughter of Henry and Martha (Davis) Thomas, both of whom were natives of South Wales, where they were married. Mrs. Perrine was born in South Wales on December 4, 1860. Her parents came to America in 1863 and located in Pennsylvania, where they remained for four years, after which they removed to Illinois, and lived there for six years. They next removed to Carroll county, Iowa, and engaged in farming. Henry and Martha (Davis) Thomas were the parents of five children, Elizabeth. John, Anna, Henry and David, all of whom are still living with the exception of John. The father of these children is now deceased, while the mother is still living in Carroll county, Iowa. To W. W. and Elizabeth (Thomas) Perrine have been born five children: Elsie (deceased), Lottie, Leah, Lois and Lucille. Lottie is the widow of Bert Anderson. Leah is the wife of John Durbin, a farmer of Cottonwood county, Minnesota. Lois and Lucille are living at home with their parents.
Mr. Perrine is a Republican and has always taken an active interest. in the public affairs of his township. He has served as township trustee of Lincoln township, and was secretary of the school board of his township for twelve years. He also served one term as justice of the peace and was constable for a time. Mr. Perrine is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America at Audubon. The Perrine family are all earnest and faithful mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which they are regular attendants and active in the work of both the church and Sunday school. Mr. Perrine is a well-known and highly-respected citizen and deserves the confidence and esteem of his neighbors and fellow citizens.
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F. W. RIDGLEY.
The gentleman whose name the reader is asked to note at this point in the biographical history of Audubon county, F. W. Ridgley, the well-known and popular trustee of Greeley township, is a native of England, who, as an infant, was brought to America by his parents in the latter part of 1871, the family passing through the city of Chicago during the time of the great fire which destroyed that city in October of that year.
F. W. Ridgley was born in Fen Stanton, Huntingtonshire, England, February 13, 1871, the son of Francis and Sarah A. (Johnson) Ridgley, natives of the same shire, the former of whom was an extensive landowner, though a miller by trade, carrying on his farming operations in connection with his milling.
In the fall of the year in which the subject of this sketch was born, Fran- cis and Sarah Ridgley, with their infant son, their first-born child, came to America, reaching Chicago on their way west during the time that city was wrapped in flames. The family first settled on a prairie farm in western Illinois, and remained there but a year or two, at the end of which time they moved farther west, coming to Audubon county, this state, where the parents spent the rest of their lives, and where five other children were born to them.
Mr. Ridgley's first recollection is of his family moving onto the tract that is now comprised in the county farm, his father having rented land there. After a season or two spent there, the Ridgleys moved to a farm near Lickets Grove, in Melville township, and in 1878 and later, bought a farm of four hundred acres in sections 28 and 33, in Greeley township, two hundred and forty acres of which is included in the farm on which Trustee Ridgley now lives and on which his parents passed their last days. Receiving his educa- tion in the early schools of his home township, F. W. Ridgley herded cattle on the unfenced plains thereabout during his boyhood, and as he grew older helped his father on the farm and has been a farmer all his life. The elder Ridgley had been an active Democrat and his son followed in his footsteps, becoming one of the leaders of that party in his part of the county and served his township as trustee very acceptably for three terms, during which time he did much to promote the best interests of the township in both a material and educational way.
On June 12, 1901, in Audubon township, this county, F. W. Ridgley was united in marriage to Winifred Martin, who was born in that township on November 14, 1879, the daughter of James H. and Elizabeth (Goforth) Martin, natives, respectively of Virginia and Kentucky, who were married
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F. W. RIDGLEY AND FAMILY
*** TORR
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in Linn county, Iowa, coming to this county about 1866 and settling in Audu- bon township. The genealogy of the Martin family is set out on another page of this history.
To F. W. and Winifred ( Martin) Ridgley have been born two children, Sarah Geraldine, born March 17, 1903, and Joy Rena, born July 29, 1905. Mr. and Mrs. Ridgley are members of the Congregational church and are active in all the good works of their neighborhood, being a very popular couple, admired and respected by all who have the pleasure of their acquaint- ance.
WILLIAM L. CLARK.
An enumeration of those men of the present generation in this county who have won honor and public recognition for themselves, and who, at the . same time have won honor for the locality to which they belong, would be incomplete were there failure to make specific mention of William L. Clark, a prominent farmer of Greeley and Melville townships. The qualities which have made him one of the prominent and successful men of Audubon county have also brought to him the sincere esteem and confidence of the people of his community. He is the owner of the undivided northwest quarter of section 6, in Greeley township, besides an adjacent tract of land comprising forty acres in Melville township, making in all a fine farm of two hundred acres.
William L. Clark was born in Greensburg, Westmoreland county, Penn- sylvania, on February 3, 1865, a son of George W. and Mary A. (Horton) Clark, natives of Baltimore, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, respectively. George W. Clark was a carriage-maker until he reached the age of fifty years, when he engaged in farming. In October, 1865, he moved to Rock Island county, Illinois, and there purchased and cultivated a farm. In 1889 the family located on a farm in Greeley township, this county, which farm is now owned by William L. Clark. George W. Clark was born in 1823 and died in February, 1903. His wife was born in 1825 and died in May, 1913. They were the parents of nine children, five of whom are living, namely : James T., living in Texas county, Missouri; Mrs. Nettie Garnett, of Hamlin, Iowa; Mrs. Ada Genung, of Staples, Minnesota; Mrs. Grace Crompton, of Rock Island, Illinois, and William L., with whom this narrative deals.
On October 27, 1892, William L. Clark was married to Mattie White, (36)
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daughter of E. G. White, of Greeley township, and to this union have been born three children, Olive (deceased), Merle and Dale.
Mr. Clark is identified with the Republican party, but owing to his extensive agricultural interests. has taken little active part in political affairs, though always ready to support any measure which has for its object the welfare of the community and the advancement of the moral, educational or material life of his township. He and his family are earnest and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church, to the support of which they are liberal contributors. William L. Clark is one of the substantial farmers of Audubon county, and is prominent in the civic life of both Melville and Greeley townships, a man whose counsel is sought in all matters pertaining to the welfare of the community as a whole.
HENRY SCHREIBER.
In the daily struggle for an honorable competence and a substantial career on the part of the farmer there is little to attract the casual reader in search of a sensational chapter, but to a mind thoroughly awake to the reality and meaning of human existence there are noble and imperishable lessons in the career of an individual who, without other means than a clear head, strong arm and true heart, directed and controlled by correct principles and unerring judgment, conquers adversity and finally wins, not only a pecuniary independence, but what is far greater and higher, the deserved respect and confidence of those with whom his active years have been spent. Such a man is Henry Schreiber, a well-known farmer of Melville township and the proprietor of six hundred and twelve acres of splendid farming land in that township, located in sections 2 and 3.
Henry Schreiber was born on July 12, 1838, in Columbiana county, Ohio, the son of Ignatius and Maria ( Richard) Schreiber, natives of Switzer- land and France, respectively, who died in Carroll county, Ohio. To them were born three children, Frederick, who lives in Carroll county; Henry, the subject of this sketch, and Mary, who was drowned at the age of ten years. Henry Schreiber set out from his home in Ohio in 1858, and traveled in several western states as well as in Virginia. Eventually, he settled in Will county, Illinois, and was married there in 1869. For many years he followed the trade of blacksmith there and in 1889 came to Audubon county, he having ten years before purchased four hundred and thirty-two acres in Melville
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township, this county, at nine dollars an acre. In 1903 he added to his hold- ings by the purchase of one hundred and eighty acres at sixty-one dollars an acre. Mr. Schreiber has placed most of the present improvements on both farms, though some of the trees were planted by his brother-in-law, Anthony Ruddy, who lived on the place eight years previous to Mr. Schreiber's com- ing to this county.
On December 29, 1869, in Illinois, Henry Schreiber was married to Catherine Ruddy, and to this happy union 'six children have been born, namely: Annie, who lives in Chicago; Elizabeth, of Audubon; Henry, of Chicago; Catherine, of Chicago; Helen, who is the wife of Daniel Kerwin, and May, who is living at home.
Politically, Mr. Schreiber is independent, but he is more or less identified with the fortunes of the Democratic party, and most of the time supports the Democratic candidate and ticket. He and Mrs. Schreiber and all the mem- bers of their family are devout members of the Catholic church of Audubon, and are liberal contributors to the support of their faith. They have many friends throughout the county and are held in high regard by all.
WILLIAM M. CLARK.
It is a well-attested fact that the greatness of a community or state lies not in the machinery of government, nor even in its institutions, but rather in the sterling qualities of the individual citizen, in his capacity for high and unselfish effort and his devotion to the public welfare. In those particulars William M. Clark has conferred honor and dignity upon his locality, and as an elemental part of this history, it is fitting that there should be recorded a resume of his career, with the object of noting his connection with the advancement of one of the most flourishing sections of the great Hawkeye commonwealth.
William M. Clark was born in Grant county, Wisconsin, on November 16, 1871, a son of William J. and Serena J. (Thompson) Clark. The life history of William J. Clark is contained elsewhere in this volume, the bio- graphical sketch of Mr. Clark presenting the history of the Clark family. Educated in the common schools of Audubon county, William M. Clark early in life took up farming in Viola township and continued farming opera- tions in that township for two years, after which he removed to Missouri, and lived in that state for seven years. Mr. Clark prospered while living in
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Missouri, but subsequently returned to Audubon county and purchased a farm in Viola township, where he is now living. He is also the owner of two hundred and forty acres of land in Pipe Stone county, Minnesota.
In 1895, William M. Clark was married to Lulu Graves, the daughter of Joseph and Jane (Spratt) Graves, and to this happy union three children have been born, Bertha, Raymond and Elnora, all of whom are living at home.
Mr. Clark is not a member of any lodge, and has held no political offices, but is identified with the Democratic party, and supports the principles and policies of that party. Although a comparatively young man, he has made rapid progress as a farmer, and all of his friends join in predicting for him a very bright future.
WILLIAM O. BAKER.
One of the influential citizens and farmers of Viola township, this county, and the owner of two hundred acres of land in that township, is Will- iam O. Baker, a man of excellent endowment and upright character, who has been a valuable factor in the agricultural and civic affairs of Viola township for many years. Since casting his lot with the people of Audubon county in 1874, Mr. Baker has benefited not only himself, but the community in general. His record shows him to be one of the prominent and successful farmers of Audubon county, and he is, in every respect, worthy of repre- sentation in this volume.
William O. Baker was born in England on February 19, 1848, the son of Robert and Eliza (Owen) Baker, who immigrated from England in 1850 and located near Davenport, Scott county, Iowa, where they lived for twenty years and were successful farmers. They came to Audubon county in 1870 and lived in Melville township for four years, after which they moved to Viola township. Robert Baker died on the farm there on June 18, 1905, his wife having preceded him to the grave but a bare month before, her death having occurred on May 13 of the same year, Robert Baker having been eighty-nine years old at the time of his death and his wife eighty-three. They were the parents of the following children: William, the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Mary Jane Huffmann (deceased), who lived in Viola town- ship; Mrs. Annie Abel, of Omaha, Nebraska; John Thomas, of Spirit Lake; James K., who lives near Audubon; Mrs. Josephine Oliver, of Melville town- ship, and Mrs. Nellie Smith, of Dodd City, Kansas.
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William O. Baker lived with his parents until their death and cared for them, having previously purchased from them the farm which he now owns. He has, for many years, been an extensive breeder of Shorthorn and Here- ford cattle, dividing his time between these two breeds and farming. Of late he has been buying and selling cattle, and handles hundreds of head annually. Mr. Baker owns altogether two hundred and eighty acres of land, one hundred and sixty acres of which is located in section 18 and one hun- dred and twenty acres in section 17, and has lived on this farm since the spring of 1874. He first came to Audubon county with his parents in 1870, at which time his nearest neighbor in Melville township was E. J. Fruman, who lived four miles away. Mr. Baker is one of the oldest settlers in Viola township. He purchased his land in 1879 at eighteen dollars an acre from F. E. Dennet and Carl Dennet, previously having rented land for five years. The highway near his farm is lined on both sides with great trees which he planted. The home is attractive and well built and the farm is well fenced.
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